Magnetic reconnection in solar flares and corresponding radio bursts

The 2D MHD model of the flare magnetic reconnection shows that a reconnection activity, changes of the magnetic field topology and generation of waves are connected. It is found that after the phase of a quasi-stationary reconnection in the extended current sheet above the flare arcade the tearing mode instability produces the plasmoids which then can interact and generate MHD waves. Results of particle-in-cell simulations of the tearing processes, which accelerate electrons, are mentioned. Then all these processes are discussed from the point of view of possible radio emissions. While shocks can contribute to the type II radio burst, the superthermal electrons trapped in plasmoids can generate so called drifting pulsating structures. Furthermore, regions with the MHD turbulence may manifest themselves as the lace or dm-spike bursts.     

Magnetic reconnection in a high-temperature plasma of solar flares

In the frame of a simple self-consistent model for high-temperature turbulent current sheet (HTCS) /1/, three effects are considered. (i) Gradient instabilities create anamalous plasma diffusion across magnetic field and increase the power of energy release in HTCS. (ii) Penetration of a small transverse component of magnetic field into HTCS also can significantly increase an energy output of HTCS. (iii) There appears electric current circulating around a current sheet at a compression of longitudinal magnetic field. This current induces a Joule heat; however, a total flux of the longitudinal field remains constant.     

Magnetic reconnection in solar coronal loops

Simulations of the evolution of kink modes in line-tied coronal loops are presented which demonstrate the occurrence of magnetic reconnection in the non-linear stage of the instability. In loops which do not carry a net axial current (and are confined by a potential purely axial field) the reconnection is limited to the initial current-carrying channel and no overall loss of confinement is observed. In loops which carry a net current on the other hand, reconnection progressively involves field lines at greater and greater distances from the axis and even regions where the field was initially potential, leading to a total disruption of the magnetic field topology.     

First-order Fermi shock acceleration in solar flares

First order Fermi shock acceleration of electrons, protons and alpha particles is compared to observations of energetic particle events. For each event, a unique shock compression ratio produces spectra in good agreement with observation. The simple model predicts that the acceleration time to a given energy will be approximately equal for electrons and protons and, for reasonable solar parameters, can be less than 1 second to ～ 100 MeV.     

Impulsive acceleration during gradual type solar radio flares

Gradual rise and fall type solar radio flares recorded at 37 GHz (8 mm wavelength) are analysed and compared with simultaneous soft and hard X-ray events. Emission measures and plasma temperatures were calculated from the GOES soft X-ray data, and optically thin thermal bremsstrahlung flux at 37 GHz was calculated assuming the same emitting volumes. The main emission mechanism behind the millimeter wave radio flares was determined to be thermal bremsstrahlung although many of the flares showed impulsive, non-thermal features. The radio flares were compared with simultaneous BATSE hard X-ray events, but significant temporal correlation was not found. It is suggested that there might be two different types of gradual radio flares, connected to gradual or more impulsive hard X-ray events. Another explanation for the observed two types would be different viewing angles to the emitting regions.     

Hard X-ray footpoint motions in solar flares: Comparing magnetic reconnection models with observations

Hard X-ray observations from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) of the October 29, 2003 GOES X10 two-ribbon flare are used together with magnetic field observations from the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) onboard SoHO to compare footpoint motions with predictions from magnetic reconnection models. The temporal variations of the velocity v of the hard X-ray footpoint motions and the photospheric magnetic field strength B in footpoints are investigated. The underlying photospheric magnetic field strength is generally higher (B ∼ 700–1200 G) in the slower moving (v ∼ 20–50 km s⁻¹) western footpoint than in the faster (v ∼ 20–100 km s⁻¹) moving eastern source (∼100–600 G). Furthermore, a rough temporal correlation between the HXR flux and the product vB² is observed.     

Solar flares,CMEs and solar energetic particle events during solar cycle 24

We present here a study of Solar Energetic Particle Events (SEPs) associated with solar flares during 2010–2014 in solar cycle 24. We have selected the flare events (≥GOES M-class), which produced SEPs. The SEPs are classified into three categories i.e. weak (proton intensity?≤?1?pfu), minor (1?pfu?<?proton intensity?<?10?pfu) and major (proton intensity?≥?10?pfu). We used the GOES data for the SEP events which have intensity greater than one pfu and SOHO/ERNE data for the SEP event less than one pfu intensity. In addition to the flare and SEP properties, we have also discussed different properties of associated CMEs.     

Magnetic field structure changes in the vicinity of solar flares

Changes in the structure of the sunspot group and its magnetic field are studied in Hale Region 17644 (May 1981) in connection with the May 16 3B/X1 flare. The characteristic changes, also found in HR 16850 (May 1980) and HR 17098 (September 1980), are the following: Rapid motions of umbrae of opposite polarity in the vicinity of the magnetic zero line, parallel to this line, but in opposite direction. Appearence of new small spots before the flare, leading to a more complicated field structure. Simplification of the magnetic structure after the flare in some days, i.e. decrease of spot areas in the affected territory and the straightening of the magnetic zero line.     

Particle acceleration and gamma rays in solar flares: Recent observations and new modeling

Experiments on SMM, GAMMA, Yohkoh, GRANAT, Compton GRO, INTEGRAL, RHESSI and CORONAS-F satellites over the past three decades have provided copious data for fundamental research relating to particle acceleration, transport and energetics of flares and to the ambient abundance of the solar corona, chromosphere and photosphere. We summarize main results of solar gamma-astronomy (including some results of several joint Russian–Chinese projects) and try to appraise critically a real contribution of those results into modern understanding of solar flares, particle acceleration at the Sun and some properties of the solar atmosphere. Recent findings based on the RHESSI, INTEGRAL and CORONAS-F measurements (source locations, spectrum peculiarities, ³He abundance etc.) are especially discussed. Some unusual features of extreme solar events (e.g., 28 October 2003 and 20 January 2005) have been found in gamma-ray production and generation of relativistic particles (solar cosmic rays, or SCR). A number of different plausible assumptions are considered concerning the details of underlying physical processes during large flares: (1) existence of a steeper distribution of surrounding medium density as compared to a standard astrophysical model (HSRA) for the solar atmosphere; (2) enhanced content of the ³He isotope; (3) formation of magnetic trap with specific properties; (4) prevailing non-uniform (e.g., fan-like) velocity (angular) distributions of secondary neutrons, etc. It is emphasized that real progress in this field may be achieved only by combination of gamma-ray data in different energy ranges with multi-wave and energetic particle observations during the same event. We especially note several promising lines for the further studies: (1) resonant acceleration of the ³He ions in the corona; (2) timing of the flare evolution by gamma-ray fluxes in energy range above 90 MeV; (3) separation of gamma-ray fluxes from different sources at/near the Sun (e.g., different acceleration sources/episodes during the same flare, contribution of energetic particles accelerated by the CME-driven shocks etc.); (4) asymmetric magnetic geometry and new magnetic topology models of the near-limb flares; (5) modeling of self-consistent time scenario of the event.     

Magnetic fluxtube reconnection

We present the results of 3D numerical simulations of initially discrete magnetic fluxtubes interacting via magnetic reconnection. The initial topology consists of two orthogonal fluxtubes. Each fluxtube has a uniform twist, force-free magnetic field specified by the Gold-Hoyle model. The fluxtubes are then forced together by an initial flow configuration consisting of two superimposed stagnation point flows. We observe three distinct types of interaction, which depend on the twist and on the Lundquist numbers, between the fluxtubes. For low twist the fluxtubes experience an elastic collision. For a higher twist complete reconnection is observed. If the Lundquist numbers are raised fluxtube tunneling occurs.     

Information on particle acceleration and transport derived from solar flare spectropolarimetry

The hydrogen Hα line has been found to be linearly polarized at some locations and times during a June 15th 2001 flare observed with THEMIS. This flare was accompanied by radio pulses and hard X-ray emission. Linear polarization is below the noise level in the flare kernels. However, it is present at the edges of these kernels, in the line center and near wings where the polarization degree exceeds 4%. The directions of polarization are not random but close within ±15° to the tangential and radial directions. This polarization can be due either to electron beams and their associated return currents or to electron and proton beams.     

Energy transfer in solar flares

We review the recent advances in the field of energy transfer and dissipation in solar flares. New observations and theoretical results have been obtained during the SMY and discussed in several workshops. Important new results have been provided by imaging hard X-ray and radio observations, high resolution spectra in the soft X-ray range, polarization measurements and combined optical, gamma- and X-ray data. We summarize results on the following topics: a) interpretation of hard X-ray bursts; b) heating and cooling of X-ray flare plasmas; c) chromospheric heating and evaporation; d) white-light flares. An overall picture of the importance of transfer processes is given, together with prospects for development of future research topics.     

Modeling large solar flares

The basic ideas to model the large solar flares are reviewed and illustrated. Some fundamental properties of potential and non-potential fields in the solar atmosphere are recalled. In particular, we consider a classification of the non-potential fields or, more exactly, related electric currents, including reconnecting current layers. The so-called ‘rainbow reconnection’ model is presented with its properties and predictions. This model allows us to understand main features of large flares in terms of reconnection. We assume that in the two-ribbon flares, like the Bastille-day flare, the magnetic separatrices are involved in a large-scale shear photospheric flow in the presence of reconnecting current layers generated by a converging flow.     

Reconnection during substorms and solar flares

The patterns of reconnection in the Earth magnetotail and in the solar corona above the active region are presented. The electric field and field-aligned currents (FAC) generation in the current sheet are discussed.     

Energy input in solar flares and coronal explosions

A coronal explosion is a density wave observed in X-ray images of solar flares. The wave occurs at the end of the impulsive phase, which is the time at which the flare's thermal energy content has reached its maximum value. It starts in a small area from where it spreads out, mainly into one hemisphere, with velocities that tend to rapidly decrease with time, and which are between ～ 10³ and a few tens of km s^?1. We interpret them as magneto-hydrodynamic waves that (mainly) move downward from the low corona into denser regions.     

Turbulence,complexity, and solar flares

The issue of predicting solar flares is one of the most fundamental in physics, addressing issues of plasma physics, high-energy physics, and modelling of complex systems. It also poses societal consequences, with our ever-increasing need for accurate space weather forecasts. Solar flares arise naturally as a competition between an input (flux emergence and rearrangement) in the photosphere and an output (electrical current build up and resistive dissipation) in the corona. Although initially localised, this redistribution affects neighbouring regions and an avalanche occurs resulting in large scale eruptions of plasma, particles, and magnetic field. As flares are powered from the stressed field rooted in the photosphere, a study of the photospheric magnetic complexity can be used to both predict activity and understand the physics of the magnetic field. The magnetic energy spectrum and multifractal spectrum are highlighted as two possible approaches to this.     

Proton versus electron heating in solar flares

Proton and electron heating of a flaring atmosphere is compared in a kinetic approach for the particles ejected from a non-neutral reconnecting current sheet (RCS) located above the top of reconnected flaring loops in a two-ribbon flare. Two kinds of high-energy particles are considered: particles accelerated by a super-Dreicer electric field and those ejected from the reconnection region as neutral outflows, or separatrix jets. The beam electrons are assumed to deposit their energy in Coulomb collisions and Ohmic heating of the ambient plasma particles by the electric field induced by the precipitating beams. The protons are assumed to deposit their energy in generation of kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs), which, in turn, dissipate due to Cherenkov resonant scattering on the ambient plasma electrons. The beam electrons are found to provide a fast (within a few tenth of a second) heating of the atmosphere that is well spread in depth from the corona to the lower chromosphere. The protons are shown to precipitate to the lower atmosphere much slower (up to few seconds for beam and up to 10–20 s for slow jets). Slow jet protons provide heating of the two compact regions: the first located at the top of a flaring loop just below the RCS, and the second one appearing at the transition region (TR) and upper chromosphere; fast beam protons deposit their energy in the TR and chromosphere only.     

Understanding solar flares from opticalobservations: How do particle beams affect the lower atmosphere?

During the impulsive phase of solar flares, both hard X-ray (HXR) and optical emissions exhibit fast temporal fluctuations detectable down to sub-second scales. This is usually ascribed to the propagation of beams of accelerated particles and to the dissipation of their energy in lower layers of the solar atmosphere. Although it is rather difficult to prove a temporal correlation between HXR and optical intensity variations, we discuss here some previous results and recent attempts. Namely in coordination with RHESSI observations, several ground-based observatories started to detect fast optical variations in the H line. In addition to this, we also mention a possibility of using some other diagnostically important lines. The proper interpretation of coordinated HXR and optical observations further requires robust tools for radiation-hydrodynamical (RHD) forward modeling. We briefly describe a new ‘hybrid’ code which consists of RHD part and particle-simulation part. Short-duration heating due to beam pulses is modeled which allows us to predict temporal fluctuations of HXR and selected optical and UV lines formed in chromospheric layers and in the transition region. Particularly the line asymmetries originating in a highly dynamical lower atmosphere of the flare can be used to diagnose the response of these layers to particle beams.