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.