Spectrum,angular distribution and polarization of auroral hard X-rays

The angular variations of elastic and inelastic scattering cross-sections have been calculated accounting for Hartree-Fock atomic model. Using these cross-sections the evolution of electron energy and angular distributions at different heights in the ionosphere have been computed with the help of Monte Carlo technique. Mono-energetic, power law and exponential electron spectra with isotropic and mono-directional incidence starting at an altitude of 300 km have been taken to obtain the angular and energy distribution at certain height intervals. It is found that isotropic distribution incident at the top of the ionosphere becomes anisotropic due to collisions at lower heights. Using Sauter bremsstrahlung cross-section and the calculated electron flux we have computed the spectrum, angular distribution and polarization of bremsstrahlung X-rays at different heights.The emission is found to be peaked at lower angles at higher heights and becomes isotropic with depth of penetration. Polarization is considerable at higher altitudes for mono-directional beams and becomes significant at lower heights for isotropic incidence. It is argued that the study of angular distribution and polarization can yield information about the nature of precipitating electron flux and hence about the acceleration mechanism operating during electron precipitation.     

Calculation of anisotropy ratio of hard X-rays from solar flares — evidence for continuous electron injections/accelerations

Variation of electron energy and angular distributions has been studied as a function of column density by combining small-angle analytical treatment with large-angle Monte Carlo calculations. The distributions have been calculated for initial electron energy 300 keV and various incidence directions. Using these distributions and Sauter bremsstrahlung cross-section differential in photon energy and emission angle, we have calculated the X-ray energy and angular distributions for photon energies 10, 20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 keV. By taking the ratio of X-ray flux at 90 and 180°, we have computed the anisotropy ratio A as function of column density. Calculated anisotropy ratio compares well with ISEE-3 and PVO observations.