Spatial development of X-ray emission during the impulsive phase of a solar flare

The flare of 11 November, 1980, 1725 UT occurred in a magnetically complex region. It was preceded by some ten minutes by a gradual flare originating over the magnetic inversion line, close to a small sunspot. This seems to have triggered the main flare (at 70 000 km distance) which originated between a large sunspot and the inversion line. The main flare started at 172320 UT with a slight enhancement of hard X-rays (E > 30 keV) accompanied by the formation of a dark loop between two H bright ribbons. In 3–8 keV X-rays a southward expansion started at the same time, with - 500 km s ^–1. At the same time a surge-like expansion started. It was observable slightly later in H, with southward velocities of 200 km s^–1. The dark H loop dissolved at 1724 UT at which time several impulsive phenomena started such as a complex of hard X-ray bursts localized in a small area. At the end of the impulsive phase at 172540 UT, a coronal explosion occurred directed southward with an initial expansion velocity of 1800 km s^–1, decreasing in 40 s to 500 km s^–1.Now at Fokker Aircraft Industries, Schiphol, The Netherlands.     

Recombination edges observed in solar soft X-ray flare spectra

Edges in the solar soft X-ray flare continuum have been observed with the NRL Bragg crystal spectrometer aboard OSO-4. The edges near 2.06 Å, 2.8 Å, and 4.46 Å are interpreted to be due to an innershell dielectronic recombination process, details of which are presented. Two other edges, 3.59 Å and 3.31 Å, are interpreted to be due to recombination of the bare sulfur ion and innershell transitions of calcium.     

On anisotropy of solar hard X-ray emission

A number of solar X-ray events above 10 keV and 20 keV were compiled in order to test for evidence of anisotropic emission. The results are not definite, although the two samples show apparently different behaviours.     

Further polarization measurements of the solar flare X-ray emission

An improved X-ray polarimeter is briefly described and preliminary results of the measurements carried out on the satellite Intercosmos-7 are presented. One flare with considerable polarization (P 16%) was observed on 1972 August 4. Two other flares with rather low polarization (P 4%; P 2%) were observed on 1972 August 7 and 11.     

Spatial structure and temporal development of a solar X-ray flare observed from Skylab on June 15, 1973

A solar flare on June 15, 1973 has been observed with high spatial and temporal resolution by the S-054 grazing-incidence X-ray telescope on Skylab. Both morphological and quantitative analyses are presented. Some of the main results are: (a) the overall configuration of the flare is that of a compact region with a characteristic size of the order of 30 at the intensity peak, (b) this region appears highly structured inside with complex systems of loops which change during the event, (c) a brightening over an extended portion of the active region precedes the flare onset, (d) the impulsive phase indicated by the non-thermal radio emission is a period during which a rapid brightening occurs in loop structures, (e) the X-ray emission is centered over the neutral line of longitudinal magnetic field, and the brightest structures at the flare onset bridge the neutral line, (f) loop systems at successively increasing heights form during the decay phase, finally leading to the large loops observed in the postflare phase, (g) different parts of the flare show distinctly different light curves, and the temporal development given by full disk detectors is the result of integrating the different intensity vs time profiles.The implications of these observations for mechanisms of solar flares are discussed. In particular, the flux profiles of different regions of the flare give strong evidence for continued heating during the decay phase, and a multiplicity of flare volumes appears to be present, in all cases consisting of loops of varying lengths.On leave from Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, Florence, Italy.     

Broken-up spectra of the loop-top hard X-ray source during a solar limb flare

Solar hard X-rays(HXRs) appear in the form of either footpoint sources or coronal sources. Each individual source provides its own critical information on acceleration of nonthermal electrons and plasma heating. Earlier studies found that the HXR emission in some events manifests a broken-up power-law spectrum, with the break energy around a few hundred keV based on spatially-integrated spectral analysis,and it does not distinguish the contributions from individual sources. In this paper, we report on the brokenup spectra of a coronal source studied using HXR data recorded by Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager(RHESSI) during the SOL2017–09–10 T16:06(GOES class X8.2) flare. The flare occurred behind the western limb and its footpoint sources were mostly occulted by the disk. We could clearly identify such broken-up spectra pertaining solely to the coronal source during the flare peak time and after. Since a significant pileup effect on the RHESSI spectra is expected for this intense solar flare, we have selected the pileup correction factor, p = 2. In this case, we found the resulting RHESSI temperature(～30MK) to be similar to the GOES soft X-ray temperature and break energies of 45–60 keV. Above the break energy, the spectrum hardens with time from spectral index of 3.4 to 2.7, and the difference in spectral indices below and above the break energy increases from 1.5 to 5 with time. However, we note that when p = 2 is assumed, a single power-law fitting is also possible with the RHESSI temperature higher than the GOES temperature by ～10MK. Possible scenarios for the broken-up spectra of the loop-top HXR source are briefly discussed.     

On the reconciliation of simultaneous microwave imaging and hard X-ray observations of a solar flare

We have compared microwave imaging data for a small flare with simultaneous hard X-ray spectral observations. The X-ray data suggest that the power-law index of the energy distribution of the radiating electrons is 5.3 (thick-target) which differs significantly from the estimate ( = 1.4) from a homogeneous optically-thin gyrosynchrotron model which fits the radio observations well. In order to reconcile these results, we explore a number of options. We investigate a double power-law energy spectrum for the energetic electrons in the flare, as assumed by other authors: the power law is steep at low energies and much flatter at the higher energies which produce the bulk of the microwaves. The deduced break energy is about 230 keV if we tentatively ignore the X-ray emission from the radio-emitting electrons: however, the emission of soft photons by the flat tail strongly contributes to the observed hard X-ray range and would flatten the spectrum there. A thin-target model for the X-ray emission is also inconsistent with radio data. An inhomogeneous gyrosynchrotron model with a number of free parameters and containing an electron distribution given by the thick-target X-ray model could be made to fit the radio data.     

Solar flare hard X-ray observations

Recent hard X-ray observations of solar flares are reviewed with emphasis on results obtained with instruments on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. Flares with three different sets of characteristics, designated as Type A, Type B, and Type C, are discussed and hard X-ray temporal, spatial, spectral, and polarization measurements are reviewed in this framework. Coincident observations are reviewed at other wavelengths including the UV, microwaves, and soft X-rays, with discussions of their interpretations. In conclusion, a brief outline is presented of the potential of future hard X-ray observations with sub-second time resolution, arcsecond spatial resolution, and keV energy resolution, and polarization measurements at the few percent level up to 100 keV.     

Evidence for thin-target X-ray emission in a small solar flare on 26 February 1972

We compare solar X-ray observations from the UCSD experiment aboard OSO-7 with high resolution energetic electron observations from the UCAL experiment on IMP-6 for a small solar flare on 26 February 1972. A proportional counter and NaI scintillator covered the X-ray energy range 5–300 keV, while a semiconductor detector telescope covered electrons from 18 to 400 keV. A series of four non-thermal X-ray spikes were observed from 1805 to 1814 UT with average spectrum dJ/d (hv) (hv)^–4.0 over the 14–64 keV range. The energetic electrons were observed at 1 AU beginning 1840 UT with a spectrum dJ/dE E ^–3.1. If the electrons which produce the X-ray emission and those observed at 1 AU are assumed to originate in a common source, then these observations are consistent with thin target X-ray production at the Sun and inconsistent with thick target production. Under a model consistent with the observed soft X-ray emission, we obtain quantitative estimates of the total energy, total number, escape efficiency, and energy lost in collisions for the energetic electrons.     

Vertical structure of hard X-ray flare

This paper presents studies of the vertical structure of hard X-ray flares for two contrasting examples. The 1981 May 13 flare contained a coronal hard X-ray source which was located above 50000 km above the photosphere. On the other hand, the 1981 July 20 flare had a chromospheric double source structure in the initial phase. Electrons in this case were able to stream freely from the corona to the chromosphere.     

Does the emission measure decrease during the start of a soft X-ray flare?

Soft X-ray flare observations, interpreted as the emission from a single temperature plasma, frequently indicate a significant decrease in the inferred emission measure. It is shown that this effect results naturally from the isothermal assumption, and is eliminated when the preflare contribution to the total emission is removed.     

Observations of magnetic field evolution in a solar flare

I±V and I±Q profiles of nine spectral lines of Fei, Feii, and Hi in the 2B flare of 16 June 1989 have been analyzed. Two bright flare knots outside and inside of a spot were investigated. To measure the true magnetic field strength in the flare, two different methods were applied. In addition to these data, the magnetic field and thermodynamic conditions were determined using the non-LTE program for line profile synthesis. According to the measurements, the magnetic field in both flare knots changed in synchronism and non-monotonically, and reached its peak (nearly 1.6 kG for non-spot areas and approximately 4.0 kG for sunspot locations) at the time of flare peak. For the flare knot outside the spot, a background field component was also detected; the magnetic field in this component was found to have mixed polarity and remained practically unchanged during the flare. The non-LTE calculations show that the unique local magnetic field peak existed near the temperature minimum zone in the flare peak too. The observed perturbations do not exclude such phenomena as a magnetic field transient in flare.     

Timing analysis of hard X-ray emission and 22 GHz flux and polarization in a solar burst

A solar flare occurring on 26 February, 1981 at 19:32 UT was observed simultaneously in hard X-rays and microwaves with a time resolution of a fraction of a second. The X-ray observations were made with the Hard X-ray Monitor on Hinotori, and the microwave observations were made at 22 GHz with the 13.7 m Itapetinga mm-wave antenna. Timing accuracy was restricted to 62.5 ms, the best time resolution obtained in hard X-rays for this burst. We find that: (a) all 22 GHz flux structures were delayed by 0.2–0.9 s relative to similar structures in hard X-rays throughout the burst duration; (b) different burst structures showed different delays, suggesting that they are independent of each other; (c) the time structures of the degree of polarization at 22 GHz precede the total microwave flux time structures by 0.1–0.5 s; (d) The time evolutions of time delays of microwaves with respect to hard X-rays and also the degree of microwave polarization show fluctuations with are not clearly related to any other time structures. If we take mean values for the 32 s burst duration, we find that hard X-ray emission precedes the degree of microwave polarization by 450 ms, which in turn precedes the total microwave flux by 110 ms.     

On the solar surge association with microwave and hard X-ray emission bursts

It is found that 20% solar surges are associated with microwave bursts (2800–15000 MHz) and also that solar surges are not associated with hard X-ray bursts (17–40 keV).     

Prospects for solar flare X-ray polarimetry

The history of solar flare X-ray polarimetry is reviewed and it is shown that as yet, there is no experimental evidence for such polarization. The present experimental limits are at the level of a few percent but these results may be biased by a large thermal component at low energies which may decrease the apparent polarization. To avoid this difficulty it will be necessary to make observations at higher energies where thermal emission is less important.The theoretical estimates of the polarization expected in the solar flare are also reviewed. The best present theoretical estimates are in the range of a few percent and are consistent with the present experimental limits.In this paper we discuss a new satellite instrument that has sufficient sensitivity at high energies to detect the polarization that is predicted by the present theories. The instrument sensitivity for a moderate (M class) event approaches polarization levels of 1% in each of 7 energy bins spanning the 10 to 100 keV range for integration times as short as 10 s. Comparable results can be obtained for an X class flare in 1 s.Presidential Young Investigator.     

Non-thermal and non-equilibrium effects in soft X-ray flare spectra

Processes leading to the excitation of soft X-ray line spectra are discussed in relation to their thermal or non-thermal nature. Through analysis of calcium spectra from the XRP experiment on SMM, it is shown that the ionization balance during the gradual phase of flares is effectively in the steady-state. A search of suitable complex flares with multiple impulsive features has shown indications of soft X-ray line intensity anomalies, consistent with the presence of a non-thermal electron component.     

Study of temporal and spectral characteristics of the X-ray emission from solar flares

Temporal and spectral characteristics of X-ray emission from 60 flares of intensity ≥C class observed by the Solar X-ray Spectrometer(SOXS) during 2003–2011 are presented. We analyze the X-ray emission observed in four and three energy bands by the Si and Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride(CZT)detectors, respectively. The number of peaks in the intensity profile of the flares varies between 1 and 3. We find moderate correlation(R ≈0.2) between the rise time and the peak flux of the first peak of the flare irrespective of energy band, which is indicative of its energy-independent nature. Moreover, the magnetic field complexity of the flaring region is found to be highly anti-correlated(R = 0.61) with the rise time of the flares while positively correlated(R = 0.28) with the peak flux of the flare. The time delay between the peak of the X-ray emission in a given energy band and that in 25–30 keV decreases with increasing energy, suggesting conduction cooling is dominant in the lower energies. Analysis of 340 spectra from 14 flares reveals that the peak of differential emission measure(DEM) evolution is delayed by 60–360 s relative to that of the temperature, and this time delay is inversely proportional to the peak flux of the flare. We conclude that temporal and intensity characteristics of flares are dependent on energy as well as the magnetic field configuration of the active region.     

On the origin of time delays in hard X-ray and gamma-ray emission of solar flares

The possibility of a strong pitch-angle diffusion regime as well as of turbulent propagation of energetic ions and electrons in flaring loops has been shown. The strong diffusion regime suggests that two regions with a high level of small-scale turbulence are formed in the magnetic trap. Such additional turbulent mirrors scatter energetic particles and, therefore, the flux of precipitating particles decreases and the mean lifetime of electrons and protons in a flaring loop grows. We cannot rule out that the turbulent propagation of the particles can be responsible for the energy dependence of hard X-ray delays as well as the time lag of the gamma-ray line peaks with respect to the hard X-ray peaks as the electrons and ions are accelerated simultaneously. The trap plus turbulent propagation model may also explain the lack of abundant population of 10–100 keV electrons in interplanetary space in proton-rich events and offers new possibilities for flare plasma diagnostics.     

Diagnostics of solar flare and evaporated plasma using mm-wave emission

Pulsations of mm-wave emission with a period of about 5 s, which occurred during the impulsive phase of the flare of June 22, 1989, are investigated. It has been shown that these pulsations can be driven by Alfvénic oscillations of a flare loop excited due to upward motion of the chromospheric evaporated plasma. A method is proposed to determine the density and temperature of the evaporated plasma as well as the flare loop magnetic field and loop length in terms of Alfvénic oscillations of the loop and bremsstrahlung mechanism of mm-wave emission. The estimation of evaporated plasma energy has shown that for the flare of June 22, 1989 the energy content in electron beams is insufficient for chromospheric plasma evaporation. It is not excluded that the main energy release process occurs in the chromosphere.