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.     

Evolution of electron energy spectrum during solar flares

Particle acceleration by direct current electric field in the current sheet has been extensively studied, in which an electric and a magnetic field are generally prescribed, and a power law distribution of the electron energy is obtained. Based on MHD numerical simulations of flares, this paper aims at investigating the time evolution of the electron energy spectrum during solar flares. It turns out that the model reproduces the soft–hard–hard spectral feature which was observed in some flares.     

Plasmoid formation in eruptive flares

One phenomena Yohkoh has observed is plasmoid eruption in flares. Thus this is a key factor that must be explained in any flare mechanism. In order to understand the dynamics of a plasmoid, we performed a numerical MHD simulation and investigated the evolution of the coronal magnetic field, which is initially a force-free configuration. The main results are as follows. At first, small amount of dissipation, induced by the initial perturbation, occurs in the current sheet where the plasmoid forms. This plasmoid is slowly going upward by magnetic tension force of the reconnected magnetic fields produced by initial dissipation. The crucial point comes when the perpendicular magnetic fields are washed away from the reconnection point, after that the reconnection proceeds effectively so that the magnetic tension force of the reconnected fields becomes strong, which make the plasmoid be rapidly erupted upward. These are consistent with the observational results, which say that before the main energy release the plasmoid slowly rises and when the flare sets in it is rapidly accelerated upward. In this paper, we emphasize on the role that the perpendicular magnetic fields play in the evolution of flare.     

1980年7月14日耀斑和磁流浮现模型

本文利用云南天文台耀斑H_α巡视观测、活动区白光照相及速度场资料,结合SMM的X射线资料和北京天文台的射电观测资料,对1980年7月14日日面3B级大耀斑进行了综合研究。对照耀斑过程的磁流浮现(EMF)模型,我们分析了活动区的形态变化特征,估算了耀斑释放的磁能、耀斑过程的特征时间及耀斑爆发时加速的电子总数和加速电子的平均能量。结果表明:(1)耀斑过程的EMF模型与观测结果基本符合,可以认为EMF模型能够较好地说明耀斑的物理过程。(2)根据对速度场资料及耀斑产生位置的分析,初步认为电流片可能位于速度中性线与磁中性线的交点处及其附近,或速度中性线与暗条的交点处及其附近[3]。(3)观测和计算表明,硬x射线爆是由电流片中加速的高能非热电子所产生,而软X射线爆则由耀斑区的高温等离子体的热轫致辐射所产生。      

Relationships of a growing magnetic flux region to flares

Some sites for solar flares are known to develop where new magnetic flux emerges and becomes abutted against opposite polarity pre-existing magnetic flux (review by Galzauskas/1/). We have identified and analyzed the evolution of such flare sites at the boundaries of a major new and growing magnetic flux region within a complex of active regions, Hale No. 16918. This analysis was done as a part of a continuing study of the circumstances associated with flares in Hale Region 16918, which was designated as an FBS target during the interval 18 – 23 June 1980. We studied the initiation and development of both major and minor flares in Hα images in relation to the identified potential flare sites at the boundaries of the growing flux region and to the general development of the new flux. This study lead to our recognition of a spectrum of possible relationships of growing flux regions to flares as follows: (1) intimate interaction with adjacent old flux — flare sites centered at new/old flux boundary, (2) forced or “intimidated” interaction in which new flux pushes old field having lower flux density towards a neighboring old polarity inversion line where a flare then takes place, (3) “influential” interaction — magnetic lines of force over an old polarity inversion line, typically containing a filament, reconnect to the new emerging flux; a flare occurs with erupting filament when the magnetic field overlying the filament becomes too weak to prevent its eruption, (4) inconsequential interaction — new flux region is too small or has wrong orientation for creating flare conditions, (5) incidental — flare occurs without any significant relationship to new flux regions.     

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.     

Numerical study of magnetic reconnection possibly occurring near heliospheric current sheet

The third-order accurate upwind compact difference scheme has been applied for the numerical study of the magnetic reconnection driven by a plasma blob impacting the heliospheric current sheet, under the framework of the two-dimensional compressible magnetohydrodynamics. The results show that the driven reconnection near the current sheet could occur in about 10–30 min for the interplanetary high magnetic Reynolds number, R_M = 2000–10,000, a stable magnetic reconnection structure can be formed in hour order of magnitude, and there appear some basic properties such as the multiple X-line reconnections, vortex structures, filament current systems, splitting and collapse of the high-density plasma blob. These results are helpful in understanding and identifying the magnetic reconnection phenomena possibly occurring near the heliospheric current sheets.     

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.     

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.     

Kink-like mode of a double gradient instability in a compressible plasma current sheet

A linear MHD instability of the electric current sheet, characterized by a small normal magnetic field component, varying along the sheet, is investigated. The tangential magnetic field component is modeled by a hyperbolic function, describing Harris-like variations of the field across the sheet. For this problem, which is formulated in a 3D domain, the conventional compressible ideal MHD equations are applied. By assuming Fourier harmonics along the electric current, the linearized 3D equations are reduced to 2D ones. A finite difference numerical scheme is applied to examine the time evolution of small initial perturbations of the plasma parameters. This work is an extended numerical study of the so called “double gradient instability”, – a possible candidate for the explanation of flapping oscillations in the magnetotail current sheet, which has been analyzed previously in the framework of a simplified analytical approach for an incompressible plasma. The dispersion curve is obtained for the kink-like mode of the instability. It is shown that this curve demonstrates a quantitative agreement with the previous analytical result. The development of the instability is investigated also for various enhanced values of the normal magnetic field component. It is found that the characteristic values of the growth rate of the instability shows a linear dependence on the square root of the parameter, which scales uniformly the normal component of the magnetic field in the current sheet.     

Interaction of shocks with a current sheet and reconnection in the solar corona

Interaction of shocks with a current sheet is investigated within a 2D MHD model based on an improved FCT numerical scheme. Basic parameters of the problem are chosen to correspond to situations in the solar corona with low plasma β and moderate shock strength. Slow and fast MHD shocks are introduced with shock normal parallel to magnetic field lines. The interaction with the current sheet causes distortion of the shock front and this distorts the magnetic field lines and generates electric current. Large current densities are generated especially when the fast MHD shock becomes the intermediate MHD shock at the current sheet. Then peak values of the current density are about 3–4 times larger than the initial undisturbed values in the current sheet.     

Combining MHD and kinetic modelling of solar flares

Solar flares are explosive events in the solar corona, representing fast conversion of magnetic energy into thermal and kinetic energy, and hence radiation, due to magnetic reconnection. Modelling is essential for understanding and predicting these events. However, self-consistent modelling is extremely difficult due to the vast spatial and temporal scale separation between processes involving thermal plasma (normally considered using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) approach) and non-thermal plasma (requiring a kinetic approach). In this mini-review we consider different approaches aimed at bridging the gap between fluid and kinetic modelling of solar flares. Two types of approaches are discussed: combined MHD/test-particle (MHDTP) models, which can be used for modelling the flaring corona with relatively small numbers of energetic particles, and hybrid fluid-kinetic methods, which can be used for modelling stronger events with higher numbers of energetic particles. Two specific examples are discussed in more detail: MHDTP models of magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration in kink-unstable twisted coronal loops, and a novel reduced-kinetic model of particle transport in converging magnetic fields.     

Tearing,coalescence and fragmentation processes in solar flare current sheet and drifting pulsating structures

The paper presents a summary of results from two different simulations which study the tearing, coalescence and fragmentation of current sheets, the associated production of energetic electrons and of plasma waves from these electrons which could explain drifting pulsation structures observed at radio wavelengths. Using a 2.5-D particle-in-cell (PIC) model of the current sheet it is shown that due to the tearing mode instability the current sheet tears into plasmoids and these plasmoids later on coalesce into larger ones. During these processes electrons are accelerated and they produce observable electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, the 3-D PIC model with two current sheets extended in the electric current direction shows their fast fragmentation associated with the exponential dissipation of the free magnetic field energy. An example of the drifting pulsating structure which is considered to be a radio signature of the above mentioned processes in solar flares is shown.     

Reconnection in multiple current sheet configurations in the solar corona

We investigate magnetic reconnection in a multiple current sheet configuration by means of three-dimensional resistive MHD simulations. This configuration might be of interest in the solar corona context, e.g. for coronal helmet streamers. We present results of our simulations of the linear and nonlinear development of the tearing mode instability. In particular, we highlight the changes in magnetic topology and the resulting plasma dynamics. Our results indicate that reconnection in complex coronal neighboring magnetic flux systems efficiently converts magnetic field energy into thermal energy and leads to small-scale tongue outflows rather than large-scale coronal mass ejections.     

Emerging magnetic flux,flares and filaments — FBS interval 16–23 June 1980

17 emerging magnetic flux regions with arch filaments related to new sunspots were identified in Hale Active Region No. 16918 during the 7 day interval from 16–22 June. Most of the new flux regions were clustered around the filament channel between the old opposite polarity fields as were most of the flares. The two largest regions of new magnetic flux and a few of the smaller flux regions developed very near the end points of filaments. This suggests that the emergence of flux in existing active regions might be non-random in position along a filament channel as well as in distance from a filament channel.We have analyzed the positions of 88 flares to date during about half of each day. We find that slightly more than half (50%) of the flares, irrespective of their size, are centered within the new flux regions. About 1/5 (20%) were centered on the border between the new flux and the adjacent older magnetic field. Less than 1/3 occurred outside of the newly emerging flux regions but in many cases were very close to the newly emerging flux. We conclude that at least 2/3 of the flares are intimately related to the emerging flux regions while the remaining 1/3 might be either indirectly related or unrelated to the emerging flux.     

Studies of the configuration of the Venus ionospheric magnetic field

The dayside ionospheric magnetic field of Venus has been modelled from two different points of view. The Cloutier et al. electrodynamic model makes specific predictions about the behavior of the global magnetic field configuration that can be compared with those expected from the alternate diffusion/convection model. Although the diffusion/convection model is currently only one-dimensional, it is found that it is consistent with the observations in several areas where the 3-dimensional electrodynamic model is not.     

火星磁场产生的原因及其分布

构建了一个可以得到火星赤道面上磁场分布的模型. 模型根据卫星观测数据, 提出了火星电离层、磁层顶和磁尾电流片上都各自通有电流的假设. 由电流的连续性条件可知, 这三种背景条件下的电流之间满足一定关系, 即火星磁层顶上的总电流是电离层上的总电流与磁尾电流片上的总电流之和. 这些电流产生的磁场与太阳风磁场共同构成了火星赤道面上磁场分布. 通过计算发现, 采用这种磁场模型得到的结果与目前卫星所观测的结果以及与采用其他方法得到的结果符合得较好.      

Flux emergence,flux imbalance,magnetic free energy and solar flares

Emergence of complex magnetic flux in the solar active regions lead to several observational effects such as a change in sunspot area and flux embalance in photospheric magnetograms. The flux emergence also results in twisted magnetic field lines that add to free energy content. The magnetic field configuration of these active regions relax to near potential-field configuration after energy release through solar flares and coronal mass ejections. In this paper, we study the relation of flare productivity of active regions with their evolution of magnetic flux emergence, flux imbalance and free energy content. We use the sunspot area and number for flux emergence study as they contain most of the concentrated magnetic flux in the active region. The magnetic flux imbalance and the free energy are estimated using the HMI/SDO magnetograms and Virial theorem method. We find that the active regions that undergo large changes in sunspot area are most flare productive. The active regions become flary when the free energy content exceeds 50% of the total energy. Although, the flary active regions show magnetic flux imbalance, it is hard to predict flare activity based on this parameter alone.     

Physics of the impulsive phase of solar flares

The physics of the impulsive phase of solar flares is discussed in relation to high resolution microwave, hard X-ray and ultraviolet observations. High spatial resolution observations of the structure of microwave flaring loops and their interpretation in terms of arcades of loops as the sites of primary energy release are presented. Theoretical interpretation of the confinement of microwave producing energetic electrons in the coronal part of loops is discussed. High temporal and spatial resolution measurements in hard X-rays, as well as observations of the spectral evolution of the hard X-ray emission are presented. Observations of the relative locations of microwave and hard X-ray emitting regions are presented and their significance with respect to the energy release site and electron acceleration is discussed. The relative timing of the peaks of impulsive hard X-ray and microwave burst is discussed. The significance of ultraviolet measurements in obtaining the density of flaring regions is discussed. Possible diagnostics of impulsive phase onsets from cm-λ polarization data are presented, and the role of the emergence of new flux and of the current sheet formed between closed loops in producing impulsive energy release at centimeter wavelengths are analyzed. Decimeter and meter wave manifestations of preflash phase and millisecond pulsations at centimeter and decimeter wavelengths and the relevant physical processes involved are discussed.     

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.