Wave localization in solar type III events

A suggested application of the theory of wave localization to type III solar radio events in the solar wind is discussed critically. A classical wave theory that enables one to relate wave localization to the observed spectrum of density fluctuations is summarized. Localization (in one dimension) is due to backscattering and depends on the density spectrum at a wavenumber equal to twice that of the scattered wave. The localization length is estimated for the Langmuir waves, for which the appropriate density fluctuations require ion sound waves, and for transverse waves, for which (at least for the fundamental) the spectrum of the appropriate density fluctuations has been measured in situ. In all cases the localization length is much shorter than the size of a type III event. For fundamental radiation the localization length can be even shorter than the observed sizes of clumps of Langmuir waves.It is concluded that although wave localization may be significant in type III events, most of its consequences have already been recognized in models that invoke multiple scattering. A notable exception is localization of fundamental transverse waves to the clumps of Langmuir waves, which provides a natural explanation for the observed brightness temperatures and for the initial predominance of fundamental over harmonic emission.