On the Evolution of the Lower Energy Cutoff of Nonthermal Electrons in Solar Flares

1 INTRODUCTION Gan, Li and Chang (2001a) proposed a quantitative method to obtain the lower energycutoff (Er) of power-law electrons from the observed broken-down double power-law hard Xray spectrum. Most recently Can et al. (2002) improved the method and let it be moreself-consistent. They applied their improved method to the 54 hard X-ray events observed withBATSE/CGRO and acquired more general results in comparison with those obtained by Canet al. (2001b). Despite the data is rel…     

On the Lower Energy Cutoff of Nonthermal Electrons in Solar Flares

1 INTRODUCTIONThe lower energy cutoff of nonthermal electron beams is an important quantity. Not only isit related to the acceleration mechanism, but it also determines the total number of acceleratedelectrons and the energy they carry. The power-law of electron beams cannot extend to lowerenergies indefinitely for if it did, it would imply an indeflnite1y large nuInber of electrons.A lower energy cutoff (E.), therefore, must exist, to keep the number of electrons within areasonable rang…     

Physical Parameters of a Flare Dervied from Multi—line 2D Spectroscopy

Time series of 2D spectra of Hα and CaⅡ λ8542 for a flare of 1999 December 22 are obtained and analyzed with a new fitting technique. The method we proposed can simultaneously yield the four parameters: the line source function, the optical thickness at line center, the line-of-sight velocity and the Doppler width. We present the spatial distributions of the physical parameters and their temporal evolutions determined from the 2D spectra. Our results are consistent with the general picture predicted by the flare dynamic models.     

Hα Line Polarization in the 2B／X4.8 Flare of 2002 July 23

On 2002 July23,a 2B/X4.8 flare was observed in the Hα line spec-tropolarimetrically by the Large Solar Vacuum Telescope of Baikal Astrophysical Observatory.Linear polarization of 3%-10% was detected in the Hα line,particu-larly where the line showed central reversal.The linear polarization is mainly radial on the solar disk and appears at the impulsive phase of the hard X-ray and γ-ray bursts.It is limited to some relatively small regions of the flare.The polarization in a limited small region(～4″-5″）changed its direction within a short period of time(～10s).     

Magneto-induced Line Broadening of Magneto-sensitive Lines in Solar Magnetized Atmospheres

We analyze the spectral line broadening of those magneto-sensitive lines in solar magnetized atmospheres. The broadening at the line wings is due to the increase of the effective width of energy levels involved in Zeeman splitting, and the broadening at the line core also originated in Zeeman splitting under the condition that the Zeeman components are mixed. Therefore, the magnetoinduced or Zeeman broadening take effects on the whole line. The observed Stokes parameter data in a sunspot and outside it acquired by Solar Stokes Spectrum Telescope (S3T) are analyzed for the demonstration of this mechanism, and the Zeeman broadening rates are calculated for FeI6302.5 under some assumptions. Our result shows that the broadening is increased as the magnetic field strength becomes stronger, but the rate of increase at the line core is decreased as the field strength increases, while the rate at the wing does not show such an obvious regularity. The broadening is more effective in the line core than in the wings.     

A New Method of Identifying 3D Null Points in Solar Vector Magnetic Fields

Employing the Poincare index of isolated null-points in a vector field, we worked out a mathematical method of searching for 3D null-points in coronal magnetic fields. After introducing the relevant differential topology, we test the method by using the analytical model of Brown & Priest. The location of null-point identified by our method coincides precisely with the analytical solution. Finally we apply the method to the 3D coronal magnetic fields reconstructed from an observed MDI magnetogram of a super-active region (NOAA 10488). We find that the 3D null-point seems to be a key element in the magnetic topology associated with flare occurrence.     

The Role of Nuclei-Nuclei Interactions in the Production of Gamma-ray Lines in Solar Flares

Dramatic extensions of experimental possibilities (spacecraft RHESSI, CORONAS-F and others) in solar gamma-ray astronomy call for urgent, detailed theoretical consideration of a set of physical problems of solar activity and solar-terrestrial relationships that earlier may have only been outlined. Here we undertake a theoretical analysis of issues related to the production of gamma-radiation in the processes of interactions of energetic (accelerated) heavy and middle nuclei with the nuclei of the solar atmosphere (the so-called i-j interactions). We also make an estimate of the contribution of these interactions to the formation of nuclear and isotopic abundances of the solar atmosphere in the range of light and rare elements. The analysis is carried out for solar flares in the wide range of their intensities. We compare our theoretical estimates with RHESSI observations for the flare of 2002 July 23. It was shown that the 24Mg gamma-ray emission in this event was produced by the newly generated Mg nucle     

Ellerman Bombs,Type Ⅱ White—light Flares and Magnetic Reconnection in the Solar Lower Atmosphere

Ellerman bombs and type Ⅱ white-light flares share many common features despite the large energy gap between them.Both are considered to result from local heation in the solar lower atmosphere.This paper presents numerical simulations of magnetic reconnection occurring in such a deep atmosphere,with the aim to account for the common features of the two phenomena.Our numerical results manifest the following two typical characteristics of the assumed reconnection process:(1)magnetic reconnection saturates in-600-900s,which is just the lifetime of the two phenomens;(2)ionization in the upper chromosphere consumes quite a large part of the energy released through reconnection,making the heation effect most significant in the lower chromosphere.The applicationof the reconnection model to the two phenomena is discussed in detail.     

The Variability of Hardness Ratio 1 observed by ROSAT： Narrow—Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies versus Broad—Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

We examined the correlation between the ROSAT Hardness Ratio 1 and Count Rates eight Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies (NLS1s) and 14 Broad-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies (BLS1s). We found that six of the NLS1s show a positive HR1-CTs correlation, and seven of the BLS1s, a negative correlation. The other two NLS1s and seven BLS1s do not show any clear HR1-CTs correlation. Thus, the spectral behavior is statistically different for the NLS1s and BLS1s. The different behaviors can possibly be interpreted in terms of a stable ‘soft excess’ that is strong in NLS1s and weak in BLS1s, plus a power law component, common to both, which softens with increasing flux.     

Relations between the IR—UV—X—ray Continuum and Emission Lines for a Large Compostie Sample of Narrow Line and Normal Seyfert 1 Galaxies

We report on our research on the UV, optical line parameters and the infrared through UV to soft X-ray continuum parameters for a composite sample of narrow line and normal Seyfert 1 galaxies. The strong correlations among the line width of Hβ，optical line strength of Fe Ⅱ and the soft X-ray slope are confirmed. We found no correlations between the UV line parameters, the equivalent widths of Lyα and CIV and their ratio on one hand and the optical line parameters on the other. The UV and X-ray luminosities strongly correlate with the line widths of Hβ and the Fe Ⅱ/Hβ ratio. No significant correlation is found between the infrared-soft X-ray continuum slope αix and the line width of Hβ。     

A Multi-Wavelength Study of the 3B/X1.2 Flare Observed on 2003 October 26

We report results from a multi-wavelength study of the 3B/X1.2 two-ribbon disk flare (S15E44), which was well observed by both ground-based and space-borne instruments. Two pairs of conjugate kernels - K1 and K4, and K2 and K3 - in the Ha images are identified. These kernels are linked by two different systems of EUV loops. Kl and K4 correspond to the two 17 GHz and 34 GHz microwave sources observed by the Nobeyama Radioheliograph (NoRH), while K2 and K3 have no corresponding microwave sources. Optical spectroscopic observations suggest that all the four kernels are possible precipitating sites of non-thermal electrons. Thus the energy of electron deposited in K2 and K3 should be less than 100 keV. Two-dimensional distributions of the full widths at half maximum (FWHM) of the Ha profiles and the line-of-sight (LOS) velocities derived from the Ca Ⅱ 8542 (?) profiles indicate that the largest FWHM and LOS velocity tends to be located near the outer edges of Ha kernels, which is consistent with the scenario of current two-ribbon flare models and previous results. When non-thermal electron bombardment is present, the observed Ha and Ca Ⅱ 8542 (?) profiles are similar to previous observational and theoretical results, while the He I 10830 A profiles are different from the theoretical ones. This puts some constraints on future theoretical calculation of the He I 10830 (?) line.     

Physical Parameters of a Flare Derived from Multi-line 2D Spectroscopy

1 INTRODUCTIONGround-based observations of flares reveal relevant signatures at chromospheric leve1s,whose interpretation plays a crucial role in the identification of the fundamental physical pro-cesses responsible for the fiare phenomenon. A better understanding of the flare phenomenonrequires multi-line observations and 2D spectroscoPy which can reveal the dynamic behaviorof flares at different lOcations and at differeni depths.The most obvious feature of line profiles fOr solar flare…     

1974年10月11日白光耀斑的光谱分析

１９７４年１０月１１日耀斑的光谱分析表明，连续发射和微波爆发几乎同时达到极大。在连续辐射极大时刻出现了高项巴耳末发射线和微弱的巴耳末跳跃，所有这些说明这个耀斑是Ｉ型白光耀斑。我们发现，在这个耀斑连续发射的极大时刻，ＣａＩＩＫ线的Ｋ１处强度大大增强，约达到连续辐射强度的一半，对应的辐射温度达到５７１６Ｋ。这个反常增强的持续时间小于４分钟。现有的半经验模型似不能给出这样的结果。色球压缩区也不能给出解释     

On the Positronium Continuum and 0.511 MeV Line in Solar Flares

We have studied the influence of the density of the annihilation region on the positronium continuum. A relation between the ratio 3γ/2γ and the densityis explicitly given, with which one can derive directly from the observed 3γ/2γ the density where the annihilation occurs. A unique solution may be found from the observed width of the 0.511MeV line. We applied the method to three flares observed by GRS/SMM. It is shown that due to the measuring uncertainties in the 0.511 MeV line width, we cannot distinguish a chromospheric source from a coronal source, though both accurately localized. To improve the measuring accuracy of the 0.511MeV line and the ratio 3γ/2γ will be an important step for a better understanding of the annihilation process in solar flares.     

Small-Scale Brightenings in the UV Continuum of an M9.1 Solar Flare

We analyze an M9.1 two-ribbon solar flare which occurred on 2004 July 22 us- ing the TRACE white-light and 1700A~。images,the RHESSI,and the SOHO/MDI data.We find many small-scale fast-varying brightenings that appeared in the white-light and 1700A~。images along the flare ribbons.Some of them underwent rapid motions in weak magnetic field regions.We identify these short-lived brightenings as UV continuum enhancement.Our preliminary result shows that the brightenings are closely related to the HXR emission.They have a lifetime of 30-60 s and a typical size of about 1″-2″.The intensity enhancement is about 150-200 times the mean value of the quiet-Sun.According to previous works,we infer that the 1700A~。enhancement may be dominated by the increased emission of 1680 A con- tinuum coming from the temperature minimum region.The impulsive feature in the 1700 A~。light curves of the small-scale brightenings may be due to the irradiation of the impulsive CIV line intensity caused by the bombardment of non-thermal electron beams.     

The Gyrosynchrotron Radiation Spectrum in a Nonuniform Source

Effects of the energy spectral index δ, low energy cutoff E0 and number density N of energetic electrons on gyrosynchrotron spectrum are investigated for a model source with a nonuniform magnetic field. It is found that the flux density Sv of the x-mode and o-mode systematically increase with increasing E0, N and with decreasing δ. The peak frequency of the spectrum, vp, also systematically increases as increasing E0 and N, but it may not depend on δ. The gyrosynchrotron radiation in the nonuniform case is polarized predominately in the x-mode at v ≥ 3 GHz. A sense reversal of circular polarization also occurs but at much lower frequencies (v ≤ 3 GHz). The reversal frequency also increases with increasing E0 and N, but it perhaps is independent of δ.     

Formation of Solar Delta Active Regions： Twist and Writhe of Magnetic Ropes

We analyze the process of formation of delta configuration in some well-known super active regions based on photospheric vector magnetogram observations. It is found that the magnetic field in the initial developing stage of some delta active regions shows a potential-like configuration in the solar atmosphere, the magnetic shear develops mainly near the magnetic neutral line with magnetic islands of opposite polarities, and the large-scale photospheric twisted field forming gradually later. Some results are obtained: (1) The analysis of magnetic writhe of whole active regions cannot be limited in the strong field of sunspots, because the contribution of the fraction of decayed magnetic field is non-negligible. (2) The magnetic model of kink magnetic ropes, supposed to be generated in the subatmosphere, is not consistent with the evolution of large-scale twisted photospheric transverse magnetic field and not entirely consistent with the relationship with magnetic shear in some delta active regions. (3) T     

Ha Line Polarization in the 2B/X4.8 Flare of 2002 July 23

On 2002 July 23, a 2B/X4.8 flare was observed in the Ha line spec-tropolarimetrically by the Large Solar Vacuum Telescope of Baikal Astrophysical Observatory. Linear polarization of 3%-10% was detected in the Ha line, particularly where the line showed central reversal. The linear polarization is mainly radial on the solar disk and appears at the impulsive phase of the hard X-ray and 7-ray bursts. It is limited to some relatively small regions of the flare. The polarization in a limited small region (~ 4" - 5") changed its direction within a short period of time (~ 10s).