A review of solar type Ⅲ radio bursts

Solar type Ⅲ radio bursts are an important diagnostic tool in the understanding of solar accelerated electron beams. They are a signature of propagating beams of nonthermal electrons in the solar atmosphere and the solar system. Consequently, they provide information on electron acceleration and transport, and the conditions of the background ambient plasma they travel through. We review the observational properties of type Ⅲ bursts with an emphasis on recent results and how each property can help identify attributes of electron beams and the ambient background plasma. We also review some of the theoretical aspects of type Ⅲ radio bursts and cover a number of numerical efforts that simulate electron beam transport through the solar corona and the heliosphere.     

Is there a common explanation for scattering of type III radio bursts and solar radar?

The apparently common source heights of type III fundamental and harmonic components and the source height of the solar 38 MHz radar echoes may all refer to scattering at a coronal level where (radio wavenumber) × (electron gyroradius) 1, that is, where radio frequency = (2 to 5) × plasma frequency.     

Possible radio precursors/signatures of the CMEs onset:radio type Ⅲ bursts and fine structures in the centimeter-metric wavelength region

Seventy-one occurrences of coronal mass ejections(CMEs) associated with radio bursts,seemingly associated with type Ⅲ bursts/fine structures(FSs),in the centimeter-metric frequency range during 2003-2005,were obtained with the spectrometers at the National Astronomical Observatories,Chinese Academy of Sciences(NAOC) and the Culgoora radio spectrometer and are presented.The statistical results of 68 out of 71 events associated with the radio type III bursts or FSs during the initiation or early stages of the...     

Diagnosing physical conditions near the flare energy-release sites from observations of solar microwave type Ⅲ bursts

In the physics of solar flares, it is crucial to diagnose the physical conditions near the flare energyrelease sites. However, so far it is unclear how to diagnose these physical conditions. A solar microwave type Ⅲ burst is believed to be a sensitive signature of primary energy release and electron accelerations in solar flares. This work takes into account the effect of the magnetic field on the plasma density and develops a set of formulas which can be used to estimate the plasma density, temperature, magnetic field near the magnetic reconnection site and particle acceleration region, and the velocity and energy of electron beams.We apply these formulas to three groups of microwave type Ⅲ pairs in an X-class flare, and obtained some reasonable and interesting results. This method can be applied to other microwave type Ⅲ bursts to diagnose the physical conditions of source regions, and provide some basic information to understand the intrinsic nature and fundamental processes occurring near the flare energy-release sites.     

Small-scale inhomogeneities in the solar corona: Evidence from meter-λ radio bursts

A number of inconsistencies between simple theory and observations of solar radio bursts indicate that mode-mode coupling in the solar corona is much stronger than predicted. The inconsistencies include the absence of predicted reversal of the sense of polarization in a type 1 storm at CMP, and the anomalously weak polarization of type II and type III emission. The strong mode coupling could be explained in terms of small scale inhomogeneities (L _N? 100 km) throughout the relevant regions of the corona. The relevant regions are those with open magnetic field lines overlying active regions. It is suggested that the coronal plasma is confined to magnetically self-pinched sheets, and it is pointed out that another inconsistency, namely the anomalously small amount of Faraday variation in type III bursts, could be explained if the value of n _e B in the inter-sheet region were two orders of magnitude less than in the sheets.     

Occurrence of bidirectional type III bursts in solar flares

The 13 pairs of type III bursts with the bidirectional drift structures recorded with the spectrograph in the frequency ranges of 230–300 MHz and 625–1500 MHz at the Yunnan Observatory and 2600–3800 MHz at the Beijing National Astronomical Observatories are analyzed in this present article and the outstanding characteristics of these events are obtained. These bursts respectively reveal that the separatrix frequency between the bursts with positive and negative drifts comes between 250 MHz and 3420 MHz, with a gap being between 0.6 MHz and 110 MHz; the duration is 53 ms–1880 ms and the frequency drift rate is between 45 MHz/s and 56000 MHz/s. The drift rate at metric wavelengths is relatively low, only a few decades of MHz while it is comparatively high at microwave wavelengths, reaching 56000 MHz/s. The qualitative explanation of these events is given in this paper.     

Association of type II solar radio bursts with coronal structures above Hα filament channels

A study of type II solar radio bursts recorded at 160 MHz by the Culgoora radioheliograph during 1980 to 1982 shows that the radio emission occurs above H filaments rather than above H flares. This suggests that the type II radio emission most probably originates from within a coronal helmet streamer overlying the filament channel.     

Hα observations of the August 12, 1975 type III-RS bursts

We present H filtergram observations of a number of the Type III-RS (reverse slope) bursts that occurred on August 12, 1975. Solar radio emission was peculiar on that date in that a large number, and proportion, of the usually rare reverse slope bursts were observed (Tarnstrom and Zehntner, 1975). We show that the radio bursts coincide in time with a homologous set of H flares located at the limbward edge of spot group Mt. Wilson 19598. We propose a model in which the reverse slope bursts are the downward branches of U bursts, whose upward branches are hidden behind the coronal density enhancement over the spot group.     

Is the enhancement of type Ⅱ radio bursts during CME interactions related to the associated solar energetic particle event?

We investigated 64 pairs of interacting-CME events identified from simultaneous observations by the SOHO and STEREO spacecraft from January 2010 to August 2014, to examine the relationship between large SEP events in the energy range of ～25 to～60 MeV and properties of the interacting CMEs.We found that during CME interactions, the large SEP events in this study were all generated by CMEs with the presence of enhanced type Ⅱ radio bursts, which also have wider longitudinal distributions compared to events without a type Ⅱ radio burst or its enhancement(almost always associated with small SEP events).It seems that the signature of type Ⅱ radio burst enhancement is a good discriminator between large SEP and small or no SEP event producers during CME interactions. The type Ⅱ radio burst enhancement is more likely to be generated by CME interactions, with the main CME having a larger speed(v), angular width(WD), mass(m) and kinetic energy(Ek), and taking over the preceding CMEs. The preceding CMEs in these instances have higher v, WD, m and Ekthan those in CME pairs missing type Ⅱ radio bursts or enhancements. Generally, the values of these properties in the type-Ⅱ-enhanced events are typically higher than the corresponding non-type-Ⅱ or non-type-Ⅱ-enhanced cases for both the main and preceding CMEs. Our analysis also revealed that the intensities of associated SEP events correlate negatively with the intersection height of the two CMEs. Moreover, the overlap width of two CMEs is typically larger in type-Ⅱ-enhanced events than in non-type-Ⅱ or non-type-Ⅱ-enhanced events. Most type-Ⅱ-enhanced events and SEP events are coincident and are almost always made by the fast and wide main CMEs that sweep fully over relatively slower and narrower preceding CMEs. We suggest that a fast CME with enough energy completely overtaking a relatively narrower preceding CME, especially at low height, can drive a more energetic shock signified by the enhanced type Ⅱ radio bursts. The shock may accelerate ambient particles(likely provided by the preceding CME) and lead to large SEP events more easily.     

Associations of decimetric type Ⅲ bursts with coronal mass ejections and Hα flares

We present a statistical study of decimetric type Ⅲ radio bursts,coronal mass ejections(CMEs),and Hα flares observed in the period from July 2000 to March2005.In total,we investigated 395 decimetric type Ⅲ radio burst events,21% of which showed apparent correlation to CMEs that were associated with Hα flares.We noticed that the Hα flares which were strongly associated with CMEs were gradual events,and82% of them took place before CMEs appeared in the field of view of LASCO C2;that most of the CME-associated radio bursts started in the frequency range around750 MHz with a frequency drifting rate of several hundred MHz s-1,of which both positive and negative ones were recognized; and that the correlation of type Ⅲ radio bursts to CMEs without associated flares is fairly vague,less than 9%.     

1–4 GHz type II-like radio bursts and pinch processes near the transition region

Analyzing 205 radio bursts observed by the Ondejov radiospectrograph in the 1–4 GHz frequency range during 1992 and 1993, we found 6 examples of type II-like radio bursts coinciding with impulsive phases of solar flares. These bursts were interpreted as radio manifestations of MHD (shock) waves generated during impulsive phases of flares in the vicinity of the transition region. Assuming a magnetic-field perturbation origin of these waves, we studied pinch processes in the current sheet near the transition region. In the 2-D MHD numerical model of this current sheet we demonstrated that 2-D pinch processes induced by radiative losses can trigger the impulsive phase of some flares and so generate the observed high-frequency type II-like radio bursts.     

A comparative study of Hα-flares of different visual features in relation to radio bursts and sunspots

Solar H-flares now reported with their distinctive visual features have been statistically examined for a period of about eight years in relation to their different characteristics, flare-burst and flare-sunspot association. Important results obtained are: (i) Integrated intensity changes from the highest to the lowest values in the order F, H, E, and D flare type, whereas, impulsiveness in the order H, F, E, and D type, (ii) Flare-burst association is frequency dependent and is highest and lowest for H and D types respectively in almost all the frequencies, (iii) Most of the flares of D, E, and F types are associated with sunspots of _p , _p , and configurations having field strength 1500–2500 G, while that of H type with _p and configurations having field strength 1000–2000 G.     

Hα and radio observations of LSI+61o303

Quasi simultaneous H and radio observations of LSI+61^o303 during August-September 1993 are presented. The radio data show that during the studied epoch the outburst has peaked at radio phase 0.6, at level100 mJy. No significant variations in the H profile at phases 0.5 to 0.65 have been detected. A remarkable increase of the EW and FWHM of the H blue peak is observed at radio phase 0.23. Possible reasons are considered.     

Type II–IV radio bursts and compact and diffuse white-light clouds in the outer corona of December 14, 1971

The radio observations of type II–IV bursts on December 14, 1971 are analyzed. These radio events were associated with a H-spray or eruptive prominence, and later followed by several compact moving clouds observed with the NRL white-light coronagraph aboard OSO-7. There was also observed a diffuse expanding cloud behind the compact moving clouds.From the comparison of the interferometer observation of the bursts with the optical observation, it is strongly suggested that the compact moving clouds were likely to be the optical counterparts of the sources of moving type IV radio emission. This fact suggests that the magnetic bubbles were really produced in the flare process. The frequency-drift of the first group of type II bursts was so rapid, that we could neither identify the type II shock with the leading edge of the diffuse expanding cloud nor interpret it as the piston-driven shock of the latter. Because of the uncertainty of the velocities of the compact clouds due to the projection effect, the possibility that the type II shock was the piston-driven shock of the compact clouds cannot be excluded. Nevertheless we suggest that the type II shock was a blast type MHD shock and had no direct physical relation to the flare-associated mass-ejection processes. The relation between the type II–IV bursts and the interplanetary shock is also discussed.     

Editorial: solar radiophysics—recent results on observations and theories

Solar radiophysics is a rapidly developing branch of solar physics and plasma astrophysics. Solar radiophysics has the goal of analyzing observations of radio emissions from the Sun and understanding basic physical processes operating in quiet and active regions of the solar corona. In the near future, the commissioning of a new generation of solar radio observational facilities, which include the Chinese Spectral Radio Heliograph（CSRH） and the upgrade of the Siberian Solar Radio Telescope（SSRT）, and the beginning of solar observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array（ALMA）, is expected to bring us new breakthrough results of a transformative nature. The Marie-Curie International Research Staff Exchange（MC IRSES） “RadioSun” international network aims to create a solid foundation for the successful exploitation of upcoming solar radio observational facilities, as well as intensive use of the existing observational tools, advanced theoretical modeling of relevant physical processes and observables, and training a new generation of solar radio physicists. The RadioSun network links research teams from China,Czech Republic, Poland, Russia and the UK. This mini-volume presents research papers based on invited reviews and contributed talks at the 1st RadioSun workshop in China. These papers cover a broad range of research topics and include recent observational and theoretical advances in solar radiophysics, MHD seismology of the solar corona, physics of solar flares, generation of radio emission, numerical modeling of MHD and plasma physics processes, charged-particle acceleration and novel instrumentation.     

Irradiation phenomena in young solar-type stars and the early solar system: X-ray observations and γ-ray constraints

The high levels of X-ray flaring activity observed in young stars and protostars suggest correspondingly high levels of low-energy particle irradiation of their circumstellar disks, and hence of early solar system material like meteorites. We first briefly review the latest X-ray observational results obtained by Chandra and XMM-Newton on two ‘typical’ star-forming regions, Orion and ρ Ophiuchi. We then discuss a new ‘accretion–ejection–irradiation–transport’ model for young stars which, when scaled to the X-ray fluxes, accounts simultaneously for four extinct radioactivity ratios, in particular the purely spallogenic ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratio, and the ²⁶Al/²⁷Al ratio. We point out the importance of the environment in which nearby star formation is taking place today, namely the Gould Belt, and the possible connection between Comptel detections of ²⁶Al γ-ray line emission from these regions, and new constraints on the origin of the solar system.     

Different time constants of solar decimetric bursts in the range 100–1000 MHz

Between 1980, January 1 and 1981, December 31 a total of 664 decimetric pulsation events, abbreviated DCIM, were observed with the Zürich spectrometers in the frequency range 100 to 1000 MHz. All of these events were recorded on film, allowing an effective resolution in time of 0.5 s, and 5 MHz in frequency. Some of these events were also recorded digitally with higher time and frequency resolution.The class of DCIM bursts can be divided into two groups depending on their duration and thus reflecting different physical mechanisms. Each of the two groups can be further divided into small and large bandwidth subgroups, reflecting differences in the source parameters. Short decimetric events ( 1s) are most abundant in this frequency range. They may be caused by fast transients in the solar atmosphere. The half-power bandwidth of the shortest DCIM bursts, the millisecond spikes, were found to be 6 to 12 MHz. A single event may consist of more than 1000 individual spikes. The long lasting DCIM bursts (5 s to 300 s) exhibit a gradual and smooth time profile. Such long lasting events indicate the presence of trapped particles in magnetic fields. In some events decimetric gyrosynchrotron radiation was observed below 1000 MHz as a continuation of corresponding microwave events.Some of the decimetric events exhibit very large drift rates (2000 MHz s^-1). Such large values request either a drastic reduction of the effective scale height of the active region in the beam model or a different explanation than the conventional beam model.     

The relationship between the radio core-dominance parameter and spectral index in different classes of extragalactic radio sources(Ⅲ)

Active galactic nuclei(AGNs) can be divided into two major classes,namely radio-loud and radio-quiet AGNs.A small subset of the radio-loud AGNs is called blazars,which are believed to be unified with Fanaroff-Riley type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ(FRIⅡ) radio galaxies.Following our previous work,we present a latest sample of 966 sources with measured radio flux densities of the core and extended components.The sample includes 83 BL Lacs,473 flat spectrum radio quasars,101 Seyferts,245 galaxies,52 FRIsⅡs and12 unidentified sources.We then calculate the radio core-dominance parameters and spectral indices and study their relationship.Our analysis shows that the core-dominance parameters and spectral indices are quite different for different types of sources.We also confirm that the correlation between core-dominance parameter and radio spectral index extends over all the sources in a large sample presented.     

Sensitive observations of radio recombination lines in Orion and W51: the data and detection of systematic recombination line blueshifts proportional to impact broadening

Sensitive spectral observations made in two frequency bands near 6.0 and 17.6 GHz are described for Orion and W51. Using frequency switching we were able to achieve a dynamic range in excess of 10,000 without fitting sinusoidal or polynomial baselines. This enabled us to detect lines as weak as T _A ∼1 mK in these strong continuum sources. Hydrogen recombination lines with Δn as high as 25 have been detected in Orion. In the Orion data, where the lines are stronger, we have also detected a systematic shift in the line center frequencies proportional to linewidth that cannot be explained by normal optical depth effects.