Radio evidence for a delayed acceleration process in solar flares

Evidence for a delayed acceleration process in solar flares is presented in the form of an analysis of simultaneous observations in microwaves, decimetre and metrewaves, and hard X-rays of six delayed gradual bursts which appear 0.5–1 hr after the strong main bursts have faded. The observed characteristics of the delayed bursts are: (a) similarity of flux time profiles at all the wavelengths, (b) low turn-over frequency (4 GHz) of the microwave spectrum, (c) moderately strong circular polarization (30–40%) and low altitude of the microwave source (which is displaced toward the disk centre by a projected distance of 10–20 from that of the preceding main burst), and (d) low spectral index of the energy spectrum of hard X-rays.From these observations it is suggested that (i) electrons are accelerated up to MeV even some tens of minutes after the impulsive phase acceleration has almost ceased, (ii) the delayed acceleration occurs in a large magnetic structure extending to a height of at least 2 × 10⁵ km, and (iii) the radio source has columnar structure with the microwave source predominantly near a leg or legs and the metrewave source near the top of the magnetic structure. The present observations of the delayed bursts do not seem to be consistent with the classical second-phase acceleration mechanism proposed in the past for normal hard X-ray gradual (extended) bursts.Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano-ken 384-13, Japan.Greenbelt, MD 20771, U.S.A., NASA/NRC Research Associate, on leave from Tokyo Astronomical Observatory.P.O. Box 76, Epping, N.S.W. 2121, Australia.Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A.     

Radio emission by parallel acceleration mechanism

A generalized version of the linear (or parallel) acceleration mechanism for emission of radiation is presented. This facilitates harmonic generation and includes the effects due to the relaxation of the dipole-approximation. The results are applied to the solar radio bursts of type III and IIIb.     

Ion-cyclotron instability and electron acceleration in coronal loops

Quasi-electrostatic electron and ion-cyclotron instabilities are studied. The result indicates that the higher harmonic ion cyclotron instabilities (ICI) can be excited while the fast ions produced from reconnection are injected into a coronal loop. Part of the energetic ions can be dragged out of the magnetic mirror turning points and a negative plasma potential is generated. The plasma potential may directly accelerate the electrons up to the relativistic velocity within a short time. This acceleration is similar to the processes occurring in the magnetic mirror devices of controlled thermonuclear fusion. The spectrum and flux of accelerated electrons have also been obtained. Some observational results during the solar flare might be explained by this acceleration mechanism.     

Radio signature of fragmented electron injection into a coronal loop

High-time-resolution observations of an unusual event of 1991 November 17, 07:04 UT at 2.5 and 2.85 GHz are presented. The event demonstrates sophisticated tine time structure including sudden reductions and quasi-periodic pulsations about various zero levels. It is shown that the sudden reductions (30–100 ms) can be produced with upward-injected > 100 keV electron beams filling the loss-cone. In such a case the acceleration is proceeding in a dense plasma layer with number densityn > 2.5 × 10¹⁰ cm^–3. The shortest time scale of the fragmented injection is _inj ^min 30 ms. Several different pulsating regimes arising due to the wave-particle and wave-wave interactions are considered. A theoretical mechanism with the nonlinear oscillations of Langmuir waves at the different steady-state levels provides the best agreement with the observed pulsations. The reduced steady-state level of the second train of pulsations is connected with the long (quasi-continuous) injection of electrons filling the loss-cone, which reduced the wave energy level. Physical parameters of the radio source were obtained. On the other hand, ECM nonlinear pulsations seem to be responsible for the radio pulsations observed in dMe stars.     

Gamma-ray and microwave evidence for two phases of acceleration in solar flares

Relativistic electrons in large solar flares produce gamma-ray continuum by bremsstrahlung and microwave emission by gyrosynchrotron radiation. Using observations of the 1972, August 4 flare, we evaluate in detail the electron spectrum and the physical properties (density, magnetic field, size, and temperature) of the common emitting region of these radiations. We also obtain information on energetic protons in this flare by using gamma-ray lines. From the electron spectrum, the proton-to-electron ratio, and the time dependences of the microwave emission, the 2.2 MeV line and the gamma-ray continuum, we conclude that in large solar flares relativistic electrons and energetic nuclei are accelerated by a mechanism which is different from the mechanism which accelerates 100 keV electrons in flares.Research supported by NASA Grant 21-002-316 at the University of Maryland, College Park.     

Location of the electron acceleration region in solar flares

Observations of impulsive solar flare X-rays 10 keV by the OGO-5 satellite and the measurements of energetic solar electrons made with the Explorer-35 and Explorer-41 (IMP-5) satellites during the period March 1968–September 1969 have been analyzed in order to determine the ion density in the X-ray source region as well as the location of the electron acceleration region in the solar atmosphere. If we assume that the efficiency of escape of the accelerated electrons into interplanetary space is 10^–3, the observations are found to be consistent with the following interpretation: (i) the ion density in the X-ray source region varies from event to event and lies between 10⁹ and 10¹¹ ions cm^–3 for those events in which the impulsive X-ray emission could be detected; (ii) for those events in which no impulsive emission was detected above threshold, the ion density in the X-ray source was < 10⁹ ions cm^–3; (iii) at least in some small solar flares the region where the electrons are accelerated during the flash phase is located in the lower corona.     

The efficiency of electron acceleration in solar type-IV radio pulsations with a zebra pattern

Based on a comprehensive analysis of the October 25, 1994 event, we consider the balance of energetic particles in a type-IV solar radio emission source with a zebra-type fine structure (in a coronal magnetic loop). The zebra pattern is formed through the injection of fast electrons into a trap and the formation of a ring-type nonequilibrium electron distribution function. We estimated the characteristic zebra-pattern lifetime, which is determined by the escape of fast particles from the trap into the loss cone. In addition, we determined the number of fast particles that must be injected into the trap to provide the observed radio brightness temperature in zebra-pattern stripes by analyzing the plasma emission mechanism responsible for the zebra-pattern generation. As a result, we estimated the efficiency of the electron acceleration mechanism in coronal magnetic loops at the post-flare evolutionary phase of an active region.     

Shock drift electron acceleration and generation of waves

An analytically derived distribution function of reflected and accelerated electrons at a nearly perpendicular shock is presented. Then this distribution in a simplified form is introduced into a 1.5-D relativistic electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) model and a generation of waves is studied. Numerical modeling shows not only a generation of Langmuir and high-frequency electromagnetic waves as expected, but also an efficient generation of whistler waves. Their role in emission processes of type II solar radio bursts is discussed.     

The shock-reprocessing model of electron acceleration in impulsive solar flares

We propose a new two-stage model for acceleration of electrons in solar flares. In the first stage, electrons are accelerated stochastically in a post-reconnection turbulent downflow. The second stage is the reprocessing of a subset of these electrons as they pass through a weakly compressive fast shock above the apex of the closed flare loop on their way to the chromosphere. We call this the 'shock-reprocessing' model. The model reproduces the sign and magnitude of the energy-dependent arrival time delays for both the pulsed and smooth component of impulsive solar flare X-rays, but requires either enhanced cooling or the presence of a loop-top trap to explain the concavity of the observed time delay energy relation for the smooth component. The model also predicts an emission site above the loop-top, as seen in the Masuda flare. The loop-top source distinguishes the shock-reprocessing model from previous models. The model makes testable predictions for the energy dependence of footpoint pulse strengths and the location and spectrum of the loop-top emission, and can account for the observed soft-hard-soft trend in the spectral evolution of footpoint emission. The model also highlights the concept that magnetic reconnection provides an environment which permits multiple acceleration processes. Which combination of processes operates within a particular flare may depend on the initial conditions that determine, for example, whether the reconnection downflow is turbulent or laminar. The shock-reprocessing model comprises one such combination.     

Radio frequency emission in electron beam-plasma and beam-beam interaction

A linear excitation of electromagnetic modes at frequencies , in a plasma through which two electron beams are contra-streaming along the magnetic field is investigated. This may be a source of the observed emissions at auroral latitudes.     

Radio evidence for an expanding magnetic arch beyond 20 solar radii

A magnetic loop located beyond 20 R _⊙ appears to be the later evolution of an expanding magnetic arch observed at 2 r _⊙. The expansion speed is of the order of 100 km s^?1.     

Prompt proton and electron acceleration to relativistic energies in solar flares

As a possible mechanism for particle acceleration in the impulsive phase of solar flares, a new particle acceleration mechanism in shock waves is proposed; a collisionless fast magnetosonic shock wave can promptly accelerate protons and electrons to relativistic energies, which was found by theory and relativistic particle simulation. The simultaneous acceleration of protons and electrons takes place in a rather strong magnetic field such that _{ce pe} . For a weak magnetic field ( _{ce pe} ), strong acceleration occurs to protons only. Resonant protons gain relativistic energies within the order of the ion cyclotron period (much less than 1 s for solar plasma parameters). The electron acceleration time is shorter than the ion-cyclotron period.     

Radio evidence of directive shock-wave propagation in the solar corona

Radioheliograph observations at 80 MHz are reported of a flare-associated event in which two type II bursts occur in four different sources. The projected centres of the sources lie along an arc subtending an angle of about 150° at the optical flare centre. If the arc represents the projection on the Sun's disk of a shock front passing through the 80 MHz plasma level, the source configuration suggests that the shock wave has originated from the optical flare region and propagated into the corona within a limited cone. On the opposite side of the flare centre, outside the shock cone, there was a stable bipolar source. Strong magnetic fields in this source may have acted as a magnetic wall to the shock wave and inhibited its propagation in this direction.     

Radio structure of extragalactic X-ray sources

The radio properties ofUhuru X-ray sources with fairly certain extragalactic identifications are described briefly. Radio to X-ray flux ratios are low for rich clusters of galaxies and high for double radio sources. There is some evidence from the Abell 426 (Perseus) and Abell 1367 clusters that a radio galaxy in a rich cluster may be the centre of extended X-ray emission. Nuclei of galaxies have an enormous range in X-ray luminosity; the known range is from 10³⁰ W for our galaxy to 3×10³⁸ W for 3C 273. Unidentified X-ray sources at high galactic latitudes may include new classes of objects with very low radio to X-ray flux ratios or hard X-ray emission.     

Simulation studies of electron acceleration by ion ring distributions in solar flares

Using a 2 1/2-D fully relativistic electromagnetic particle-in-cell code (PIC) we have investigated a potential electron acceleration mechanism in solar flares. The free energy is provided by ions which have a ring velocity distribution about the magnetic field direction. Ion rings may be produced by perpendicular shocks, which could in turn be generated by the super-Alfvénic motion of magnetic flux tubes emerging from the photosphere or by coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Such ion distributions are known to be unstable to the generation of lower hybrid waves, which have phase velocities in excess of the electron thermal speed parallel to the field and can, therefore, resonantly accelerate electrons in that direction. The simulations show the transfer of perpendicular ion energy to energetic electrons via lower hybrid wave turbulence. With plausible ion ring velocities, the process can account for the observationally inferred fluxes and energies of non-thermal electrons during the impulsive phase of flares. Our results also show electrostatic wave generation close to the plasma frequency: we suggest that this is due to a bump-in-tail instability of the electron distribution.     

Radio observations of the fine structure inside a post-CME current sheet

A solar radio burst was observed in a coronal mass ejection/flare event by the Solar Broadband Radio Spectrometer at the Huairou Solar Observing Station on2004 December 1. The data exhibited various patterns of plasma motions, suggestive of the interaction between sunward moving plasmoids and the flare loop system during the impulsive phase of the event. In addition to the radio data, the associated whitelight, Hα, extreme ultraviolet light, and soft and hard X-rays were also studied.     

Radio evidence of twisted bi-polar magnetic fields in the solar corona

Observations of bi-polar type I storm centers with the Culgoora radioheliograph operating at 80 MHz show that in many cases they are not oriented as we should expect for emission in the ordinary mode and for the simplest magnetic field geometry. We interpret this as evidence for a twist in the magnetic field.     

Radio and soft X-ray evidence for dense non-potential magnetic flux tubes in the solar corona

The source positions of solar radio bursts of spectral types I, III(U) and III(J) and V observed by the Culgoora radioheliograph are found to lie almost radially above soft X-ray loops on pictures taken by the S-056 telescope aboard Skylab. The radio source positions and the X-ray loops occur near magnetic loops on computed potential field maps. However, the magnetic induction required to explain the radio observations is much greater than the computed potential field value at that height. Dense current-carrying magnetic flux tubes emanating from active regions on the Sun and extending to 1.5R above the photosphere provide a satisfactory model for the radio bursts.