Polarization features of type IV bursts

Using both the polarization records of our institute at seven different frequencies and polarization records from other stations, the spectral diagrams of some important type IV bursts are completed by polarization diagrams. Combining both types of diagrams and adding the results of optical observations and X-ray data it is possible to come to a deeper understanding of the processes taking place during strong solar radio bursts.     

On the polarization of solar microwave bursts observed at 17 GHz

The polarization distribution of 17 GHz bursts is studied observed within a period of 1 yr after maximum solar activity. The typical variation of polarization with time of impulsive bursts leads to the conclusion of a thermalization of the emission region in the post-burst phase. The fine structure of the polarization curve of complex bursts is shown and two possible interpretations of the observed inversion of the polarization at 17 GHz during a complex event are given.     

Polarization evolution accompanying the very early sharp decline of gamma-ray burst X-ray afterglows

In the synchrotron radiation model, the polarization property depends on both the configuration of the magnetic field and the geometry of the visible emitting region. Some peculiar behaviours in the X-ray afterglows of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) observed with Swift , such as energetic flares and a plateau followed by a sharp drop, might be highly linearly polarized because the outflows powering these behaviours may be dominated by Poynting flux. The breakdown of the symmetry of the visible emitting region may also be well hidden in the peculiar X-ray data and may give rise to interesting polarization signatures. In this paper, we focus on the polarization accompanying the very early sharp decline of GRB X-ray afterglows. We show that strong polarization evolution is possible in both the high latitude emission model and the dying central engine model, which are used to interpret this sharp X-ray decline. It is thus not easy to efficiently probe the physical origin of the very early X-ray sharp decline with future polarimetry. Strong polarization evolution is also possible in the decline phase of X-ray flares and in the shallow decline phase of X-ray light curves characterized by chromatic X-ray versus optical breaks. A detector such as the X-ray Telescope (XRT), but with polarization capability, on board a satellite like Swift would be suitable for testing our predictions.     

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).     

Results of observation of spectra and polarization of meter solar radio emission with high time resolution: May–June, 1969

Simultaneous observations of spectra and polarization of two noise storms with high time resolution have been performed in IZMIRAN during the periods: May 17–23 and June 7–13, 1969. The results of the analysis show that for different noise storms Type I bursts and chains of Type I bursts possess different spectral and polarization characteristics and different tendencies in variation of these characteristics from day to day. In particular, the first stage of the noise storm in May presented some Type I bursts which displayed a varying degree of polarization within their individual lifetimes. In addition, 112 Type III bursts with weak or moderate polarization were observed.     

Hard X-ray characteristics of solar flares using electron Monte-Carlo calculations and beamed thick target model

The experimental results of X-ray bursts with spectral characteristics, spatial distribution, fast time variations, polarization, and directivity measurements carried out with Intercosmos, PVO/ISEE-3 spacecrafts, imaging instrument observations of Hard X-ray (HXIS) and Hard X-ray Burst Spectrometers (HXRBS) during solar maximum mission have been reviewed. The observed results about the above characteristics are discussed in detail in terms of non-thermal and thermal models. It is shown that the results can be interpreted in terms of beamed thick-target model in which electrons stream down to the loop footpoints and produce hard X-rays through electron-ion bremsstrahlung.     

Hard X-rays and associated weak decimetric bursts

In previous attempts to show one-to-one correlation between type III bursts and X-ray spikes, there have been ambiguities as to which of several X-ray spikes are correlated with any given type III burst. Here, we present observations that show clear associations of X-ray bursts with RS type III bursts between 16:46 UT and 16:52 UT on July 9, 1985. The hard X-ray observations were made at energies above 25 keV with HXRBS on SMM and the radio observations were made at 1.63 GHz using the 13.7m Itapetinga antenna in R and L polarization with a time resolution of 3 ms. Detailed comparison between the hard X-ray and radio observations shows:

1. In at least 13 cases we can identify the associated hard X-ray and decimetric RS bursts.
2. On average, the X-ray peaks were delayed from the peak of the RS bursts at 1.6 GHz by ～ 400 ms although a delay as long as 1 s was observed in one case.

One possible explanation of the long delays between the RS bursts and the associated X-ray bursts is that the RS burst is produced at the leading edge of the electron beam, whereas the X-ray burst peaks at the time of arrival of the bulk of the electrons at the high density region at the lower corona and upper chromosphere. Thus, the time comparison must be made between the peak of the radio pulse and the start of the X-ray burst. In that case the delays are consistent with an electron travel time with velocity ～ 0.3 c from the 800 MHz plasma level to the lower corona assuming that the radio emission is at the second harmonic.     

Bursts with temporal fine structure at 5730 MHz

An analysis of solar radio bursts with temporal fine structure (TFS) at 5730 MHz in relation to the magnetic configuration of the corresponding active regions (AR) is presented. We found that the occurrence of TFS bursts increases with increasing complexity of the AR's magnetic configuration. The degree of polarization of TFS bursts varies over a wide range. Most of these fast bursts with a high degree of polarization were observed in active regions with a simple magnetic configuration β. Most of the unpolarized fast bursts were observed in active regions with the most complicated configuration βγδ. Because bursts that are polarized in different modes have different displacements of position with respect to that of associated microwave bursts, we conclude that there are at least two types of TFS bursts at 5730 MHz. We think that fast bursts that are polarized in the ordinary mode are due to microwave type III bursts.     

Anisotropy and polarization of solar X-ray bursts

The effects of the Compton back-scattered X-ray flux from the photosphere on the directivity and polarization of flare X-rays between 15 keV and 150 keV are computed. The calculations are made with a thin target model for flares of De Jager-Kundu type with electrons spiralling downward around a vertical magnetic field and for an Isotropie source. The resulting polarization for an isotropic source is not higher than 4%. The resulting directivity of anisotropic sources is greatly reduced, particularly below 70 keV. The results of the statistical studies of the center-limb distribution of solar X-ray bursts are then compatible with the existing measures of polarization. The hypothesis for existence of De JagerKundu type flares is enforced.     

Observations of Microwave Type-U Bursts

Two microwave type-U bursts observed with the 2.6–3.8 GHz spectrometer of Beijing Astronomical Observatory (BAO) are described and analysed in this paper. The microwave type-U bursts have very short durations (about 200 ms), narrow bandwidth, high-frequency drift rates of the ascending and descending branches, and a high degree of circular polarization (80%). The sense of polarization remains the same from the ascending to the descending branch.     

On the Polarization of Type I Radio Bursts

Circularly polarized radio radiation maintains its polarization even where the magnetic field reverses its sign relative to the ray (QT region) if the reversal is sufficiently abrupt (strong QT region). Bastian (1995) suggested that coronal turbulence scatters radiation, such as type I bursts, sufficiently to make the reversal abrupt where it would otherwise not be. However, the observed directivity of type I bursts sets an upper limit on the scattering. This limit implies that the turbulent scattering is not sufficient to maintain the circular polarization as in a strong QT region. The conclusion is strengthened by an analytical calculation of the polarization. Apparently, the fully polarized type I bursts, near disk center, encounter no horizontal magnetic fields, at least not until high enough in the corona that the QT region is strong anyway.     

Discovery of type I X-ray bursts from the low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1708 – 40

We report the discovery of type I X-ray bursts from the low-mass X-ray binary  4U 1708 − 40  during the 100-ks observation performed by BeppoSAX on 1999 August 15–16. Six X-ray bursts have been observed. The unabsorbed 2–10 keV fluxes of the bursts range from ∼3 to  9 × 10⁻¹⁰ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹  . A correlation between peak flux and fluence of the bursts is found, in agreement with the behaviour observed in other similar sources. There is a trend of the burst flux to increase with the time interval from the previous burst. From the value of the persistent flux we infer a mass accretion rate     , which may correspond to the mixed hydrogen/helium burning regime triggered by thermally unstable hydrogen. We have also analysed a BeppoSAX observation performed on 2001 August 22 and previous RXTE observations of  4U 1708 − 40  , where no bursts have been observed; we find persistent fluxes of more than a factor of 7 higher than the persistent flux observed during the BeppoSAX observation showing X-ray bursts.     

Hard X-ray Radiation from Solar Flares in the Second Half of 2001: Preliminary Results of the SPR-N Experiment Onboard the Coronas-F Satellite

The first results of the experiment with the SPR-N hard X-ray (20–100 keV) polarimeter onboard the Coronas-F observatory (the experiment started on August 15, 2001) are presented. Hard X-ray radiation was detected from several solar flares. The spectral and temporal parameters were determined and the polarization was estimated. Comparison with the GOES observations of thermal X-ray radiation shows that hard X-ray bursts occur at the growth phase of the thermal radiation and that they are associated with the bremsstrahlung of energetic electrons precipitating into the solar atmosphere.     

Parameters of the intense X-ray and gamma-ray radiation from the solar flare of May 20, 2002, as observed from the Coronas-F spacecraft

We consider temporal, spectral, and polarization parameters of the hard X-ray and gamma-ray radiation observed during the solar flare of May 20, 2002, in the course of experiments with the SONG and SPR-N instruments onboard the Coronas-F spacecraft. This flare is one of the most intense gamma-ray events among all of the bursts of solar hard electromagnetic radiation detected since the beginning of the Coronas-F operation (since July 31, 2001) and one of the few gamma-ray events observed during solar cycle 23. A simultaneous analysis of the Coronas-F and GOES data on solar thermal X-ray radiation suggests that, apart from heating due to currents of matter in the the flare region, impulsive heating due to the injection of energetic electrons took place during the near-limb flare S21E65 of May 20, 2002. These electrons produced intense hard X-ray and gamma-ray radiation. The spectrum of this radiation extends up to energies ≥7 MeV. Intense gamma-ray lines are virtually unobservable against the background of the nonthermal continuum. The polarization of the hard X-ray (20–100 keV) radiation was estimated to be ≤15–20%. No significant increase in the flux of energetic protons from the flare under consideration was found. At the same time, according to ACE data, the fluxes of energetic electrons in interplanetary space increased shortly (～25 min) after the flare.     

General aspects of hard X-ray flares observed by Hinotori: Gradual burst and impulsive burst

We survey here the observational results on five gradual and four impulsive type events from the hard X-ray imaging (SXT) and spectrometer (HXM) instruments on the Hinotori satellite. A set of differences are clearly recognized between the gradual and impulsive type bursts. These are: (1) Hard X-ray images show the existence of a large coronal source for each gradual burst and a wide variety of source structures for impulsive bursts. (2) The source heights of the impulsive bursts appear to be low. (3) All gradual bursts show power-law spectra while impulsive bursts show exponential thermal spectra at least before the maximum phase. (4) Energy-dependent peak delays are observed only in gradual bursts. From these differences we suggest that two different acceleration and emission mechanisms are involved with these two kinds of hard X-ray bursts.     

Frequency response of magnetic flux sheaths

We suggest to identify the elementary flare bursts with the excitation of the small kernels that occur in flare loops that are observed in soft X-ray pictures of flares. We stress the need of simultaneous observations of spatial structure and time variations of hard X-ray bursts sources in various wavelength regions.     

Fine structures in time profiles of type II bursts at frequencies above 200 MHz

We studied the properties of fine structures in 23 type II bursts recorded at the Trieste Astronomical Observatory at frequencies above 200 MHz.The lifetime of a single fine structure is a fraction of a second. The ratio of fine structures intensity vs bulk flux density is different in different type II bursts and it changes during the evolution of a single event; the reported maximum ratio is 3. The polarization of fine structures is nearly the same during the lifetime of an event. There is also no essential difference in polarization between fine structures and bulk emission; this holds also for an example of high-polarization (about 80%) event.At frequencies lower than 200 MHz the analogy between herringbone structure and type III bursts is frequently mentioned in the literature. From the observations we studied, it results, however, that the time profile of single fine-structure elements and their polarization are substantially different from the morphology of type III bursts.The observed fine structures and their characteristics are discussed in the framework of the model by Holman and Pesses (1983).Paper presented at the 4th CESRA Workshop in Ouranopolis (Greece) 1991.     

The role of energetic electrons in the correlation of meter and decimeter type III bursts with 4 keV X-ray emission

The correlation of type III burst-groups with 4 keV solar X-ray emission is examined. A total of 151 burst-groups reported by the Fort Davis Observatory were compared with X-ray emission observed by the Naval Research Laboratory experiment on the OGO-5 satellite. A higher X-ray correlation is found for type III burst-groups when: (1) the bursts are observed on the decimeter band and (2) the bursts are more intense. The bremsstrahlung flux resulting from the proposed coronal loss of the E< 10 keV type III electrons is shown to be below the detection threshold of the OGO-5 experiment. No fine structure is found in the correlated impulsive X-ray bursts with a time scale on the order of one second. It is proposed that electrons are accelerated over a time of 10–100 s or more and that the type III bursts are the result of the occasional escape of a small fraction of the energetic electrons from the acceleration region.     

Hard X-ray images of impulsive bursts

A morphological study is made for the hard X-ray images (25–50 keV) of nine impulsive bursts observed by Hinotori. Most of them revealed single sources, either extended or compact, during the whole duration of the bursts. The sources of all of four spike bursts in the present sample are compact. After the main phase of the impulsive bursts, generally the source size becomes smaller accompanying a shift of position. The X-ray source size is much greater than that of the Hα kernel in two events out of three. Four possible explanations for the X-ray source to be single are suggested. One of these is the strong electric field along the magnetic field as demonstrated to be produced at the decay of force-free current.     

Homology of X-ray bursts

Conclusions The present paper demonstrates on the basis of 2 series of events that one can extend the homology so far known for optical and radio flares also to the hard and soft X-ray bursts.The studied homologous X-ray flares occurred in the same active region and their time-intensity profiles were very similar. It has been found that the detected homologous X-ray bursts are associated with radio bursts that also are homologous. The time profile of centimeter radio bursts frequently is repeated in detail when compared with the time profile of X-ray bursts as one can see in Figure 1. This very close correspondence suggests that the centimeter radio bursts and X-ray bursts are generated simultaneously during flares, probably in the same region (Sengupta, 1968). Arnoldy et al. (1968) have found a detailed correlation between the time-intensity profiles of hard X-ray bursts and 3 or 10 cm radio bursts. This close correlation between the hard X-ray bursts and centimeter radio bursts leads to a suggestion that the hard X-ray and centimeter radio bursts are generated by the same electrons. On the basis of these considerations one can more easily understand the homology of both the X-ray bursts and the radio bursts. The occurrence of homologous bursts then can be explained by an existence of regions on the sun in which for a certain time (48 h after Fokker) the same conditions are maintained in the acceleration of the electrons generating the X-ray and radio bursts.