On the distribution of magnitudes of solar microwave events

A microwave magnitude is defined as a logarithmic measure of the energy content of a microwave event. The distributions of microwave magnitudes are derived for collections of bursts that:

1. Occurred during two periods in solar cycle 20, one relatively early and the other relatively late;
2. Occurred in association with optical flares in particular centres of activity.

No dependence on the phase in the solar cycle has been found. One centre of activity was found that produced a distribution different from normal. The distribution of microwave magnitudes can be satisfactorily represented by the expression n(m) = const (m/α)e ^{?(m/α) 2}. A phenomenological model for the flare build-up process is indicated which leads to a distribution of this very shape.