XUV lines emitted from plasma accelerated during magnetic reconnection

Summary We compute the intensity of the emission in the O VI, Mg X, Si XII, Fe XIII, Fe XVI transitions and the profiles of these spectral lines for a plasma flowing out of reconnecting current sheets that originate in the active region corona either during transient brightenings or in preflare conditions. The characteristic of these lines is a significant non-thermal broadening consistent with plasma non-thermal velocities of the order of 300 km s⁻¹. Hence, it is possible to infer the occurrence of magnetic reconnection in the solar corona by investigating the broadening of transition region and coronal lines in the sites where reconnection is presumed to take place.     

Self-regulation of solar coronal heating process via the collisionless reconnection condition

I propose a new paradigm for solar coronal heating viewed as a self-regulating process keeping the plasma marginally collisionless. The mechanism is based on the coupling between two effects. First, coronal density controls the plasma collisionality and hence the transition between the slow collisional Sweet-Parker and the fast collisionless reconnection regimes. In turn, coronal energy release leads to chromospheric evaporation, increasing the density and thus inhibiting subsequent reconnection of the newly reconnected loops. As a result, statistically, the density fluctuates around some critical level, comparable to that observed in the corona. In the long run, coronal heating can be represented by repeating cycles of fast reconnection events (nanoflares), evaporation episodes, and long periods of slow magnetic stress buildup and radiative cooling of the coronal plasma.     

Ion and electron heating characteristics of magnetic reconnection in a two flux loop merging experiment

Characteristics of the high-power reconnection heating were measured for the first time directly by two-dimensional measurements of ion and electron temperatures. While electrons are heated mainly inside the current sheet by the Ohmic heating power, ions are heated mainly by fast shock or viscosity damping of the reconnection outflow in the two downstream areas. The magnetic reconnection converts the energy of reconnecting magnetic field B(p) mostly to the ion thermal energy, indicating that the reconnection heating energy is proportional to B(p)(2).     

Electron density of the magnesium XII doublet in the solar corona by use of a collision excitation model

For accurate spectroscopic diagnostics in the solar corona, the principle of spectral diagnostics of electron density is discussed by collision excitation model. Variation in electron density in the solar corona is calculated by this method using the observed signal ratio of spectral lines produced by the magnesium XII ion in the solar corona. Results show that with increasing signal ratio, the electron density will decrease; furthermore, the electron density is on the order of 10¹⁰?cm^?3, which is a reasonable value in the solar corona. Finally, variation in temperature with different signal ratio is discussed. This investigation will be significant for solar plasma diagnostics and study on the solar coronal.     

X-Ray emission from two-phase accretion disks

Summary We consider a ?two phase? accretion disk consisting of an optically thick layer with temperatureT≃10⁴ K embedded in a hot thin corona (T≃10⁹ K). The main energy input occurs through magnetic heating of the electrons in the corona, while cooling is due to Compton losses of the hot electrons on the soft photons provided by the thick layer. We write the balance equations for the two phases. We show that a possible mode of variability yields steeper spectra for increasing soft-photon luminosity as observed in Seyfert galaxies and compute composite model spectra in the X-ray range, via Monte Carlo simulations. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.     

Spectrum and mechanism of the acceleration of protons in a solar flare

Investigations based on neutron monitor data show that two components of relativistic cosmic rays are generated by a solar flare. The so-called prompt component comes from a flare with flight times and is characterized by an exponential spectrum with a parameter of E ₀ ≈ 0.5 Gev. Numerical simulation of the conditions in the flare current sheet of the Bastille flare demonstrated that such a spectrum is formed at a magnetic reconnection velocity of ∼10⁷ cm s⁻¹. The delayed component has a power law spectrum and is apparently formed during the diffusion of protons in the plasma of the interplanetary magnetic field.     

Observational Aspects of Magnetic Reconnection at the Earth’s Magnetosphere

Magnetic field reconnection has shown to be the dominant process in the solar wind-Earth’s magnetosphere interaction. It enables mass, momentum, and energy exchange between different plasma regimes, and it is regarded as an efficient plasma acceleration and heating mechanism. Reconnection has been observed to occur in laboratory plasmas, at planetary magnetospheres in our Solar System, and the Sun. In this work, we focus on analyzing the characteristics of magnetic reconnection at the Earth’s magnetosphere according to spaceborne observations in the vicinity of our planet. Firstly, the locations where magnetic field reconnection are expected to occur within the vast magnetospheric region are addressed, and is shown how they are influenced by changes in the interplanetary magnetic field direction. The main magnetic field and plasma signatures of magnetic reconnection are discussed from both theoretical and observational points of view. Spacecraft observations of ion inertial length scale reconnection are also presented.     

Energy release in corona magnetic loops

It is found that thin magnetic tubes of radius about 10⁷-10⁸ cm and longitudinal current 10¹¹-10¹² A can be generated under the conditions of convective flows in the solar photosphere. Moreover, the so-called “magnetic holes”, cylindrical magnetic structures with magnetic field decreasing towards the center, can be formed in divergent convective (Evershed) flows. It is shown that the steady-state Joule energy release (dissipation) at the photospheric footpoints of a magnetic tube increase towards the tube periphery in the upper photosphere and can exceed the optical radiation losses. In particular, this can lead to the occurrence of magnetic tubes with hot external envelopes. We consider two models of magnetic flaring loops in the active region. One model describes the explosive energy release in an individual loop caused by the penetration of the dense partially ionized plasma of a prominence into the magnetic tube (in the upper part of the loop) due to flute instability or the penetration of the surrounding chromospheric plasma (in the chromospheric part of the loop). The inflow of these plasmas destroys the force-free structure of the magnetic tube and switches on an efficient mechanism of energy release due to ion-atom collisions in a non-steady-state plasma. We studied the dynamics of the joule energy release in such processes. The second model of flaring energy release is based on the global approach in the study of the dynamics and energetics of solar active regions with allowance for their complex self-consistent evolution. The structure of the magnetic field of an active region was represented as an ensemble of inductively coupled current-carrying magnetic loops interacting with each other. Each loop, in turn, was simulated by an equivalent electric circuit with variable parameters as a function of the shape, scale, and position of the loop in the ensemble as well as of the plasma temperature and density in the magnetic tube. Using this model, we showed that a rising magnetic loop can cause thermal flare-like heating of one loop and cooling of other loops in the ensemble. Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 40, Nos. 1–2, pp. 176–212, January–February, 1997.     

Role of equilibrium plasma flow on damping of slow MHD waves

In the solar corona waves and oscillatory activities are observed with modern imaging and spectral instruments. These oscillations are interpreted as slow magneto-acoustic waves excited impulsively in coronal loops. This study explores the effect of steady plasma flow on the dissipation of slow magneto-acoustic waves in the solar coronal loops permeated by uniform magnetic field. We have investigated the damping of slow waves in the coronal plasma taking into account viscosity and thermal conductivity as dissipative processes. On solving the dispersion relation it is found that the presence of plasma flow influences the characteristics of wave propagation and dissipation. We have shown that the time damping of slow waves exhibits varying behavior depending upon the physical parameters of the loop. The wave energy flux associated with slow magnetoacoustic waves turns out to be of the order of 10⁶ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹ which is high enough to replace the energy lost through optically thin coronal emission and the thermal conduction below to the transition region.     

The solar wind interaction with the Earth's magnetosphere: atutorial

The size of the terrestrial magnetosphere is determined by the balance between the solar wind dynamic pressure and the pressure exerted by the magnetosphere, principally that of its magnetic field. The shape of the magnetosphere is additionally influenced by the drag of the solar wind, or tangential stress, on the magnetosphere. This drag is predominantly caused by the mechanism known as reconnection in which the magnetic field of the solar wind links with the magnetic field of the magnetosphere. The factors that control the rate of reconnection of the two fields are not understood completely, but a southward direction of the interplanetary field is critical to enabling reconnection with the dayside low-latitude magnetosphere, resulting in magnetic flux transfer to the magnetotail. Numerical simulations suggest that the conductivity of the ionosphere controls the rate of reconnection, but this has not been verified observationally. Although solar wind properties ultimately control the interaction, the properties of the plasma that make direct contact with the magnetosphere are different than those of the solar wind, having been altered by a standing bow shock wave. This standing shock is necessitated by the fact that the flow velocity of the solar wind far exceeds the velocity of the compressional wave that diverts the solar wind around the Earth. The upper atmosphere is the final recipient of all the energy and momentum that enters the magnetosphere. Coupling takes place along the magnetic field Lines principally in the polar and auroral region via current systems that close across the magnetic field both at low and high altitudes and flow parallel to the magnetic field between high and low altitudes     

Spatially resolved measurements of ion heating during impulsive reconnection in the Madison Symmetric Torus

The impurity ion temperature evolution has been measured during three types of impulsive reconnection events in the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed field pinch. During an edge reconnection event, the drop in stored magnetic energy is small and ion heating is observed to be limited to the outer half of the plasma. Conversely, during a global reconnection event the drop in stored magnetic energy is large, and significant heating is observed at all radii. For both kinds of events, the drop in magnetic energy is sufficient to explain the increase in ion thermal energy. However, not all types of reconnection lead to ion heating. During a core reconnection event, both the stored magnetic energy and impurity ion temperature remain constant. The results suggest that a drop in magnetic energy is required for ions to be heated during reconnection, and that when this occurs heating is localized near the reconnection layer.     

Heat-transfer mechanisms in solar flares. 1: Classical and anomalous heat conduction

In the context of the problem of energy transport in solar flares, simplified analytical models have been developed that describe plasma heating in the solar atmosphere by heat fluxes from the super-hot (T _e ≳ 10⁸ K) reconnecting current layer. It is shown that the applicability conditions of common heat conduction produced by Coulomb collisions of electrons in plasma are not fulfilled in solar flares. The heat flux calculated using the classical Fourier’s law proves to be significantly higher than the real energy fluxes known from modern multi-wavelength observations of flares. The so called anomalous flux produced by interaction of free electrons with ion acoustic waves in a plasma is critically analyzed. The question of what the dominant mechanism of heat transfer in solar flares is requires additional consideration [1].     

Laboratory observations of spontaneous magnetic reconnection

Detailed measurements of spontaneous magnetic reconnection are presented. The experimental data, which were obtained in the new closed Versatile Toroidal Facility magnetic configuration, document the profile evolution of the plasma density, magnetic flux function, reconnection rate, and the current density during a spontaneous reconnection event in the presence of a strong guide magnetic field. The reconnection process is at first slow, which allows magnetic stress to build in the system while the current channel becomes increasingly narrow and intense. The onset of a fast reconnection event occurs as the width of the current channel approaches the ion-sound-Larmor radius rho s. During the reconnection event magnetically stored energy is channeled into energetic ion outflows and a rapid increase in the electron temperature.     

Parker’s Solar Wind Model for a Polytropic Gas

Parker’s hydrodynamic isothermal solar wind model is extended to apply for a more realistic polytropic gas flow that can be caused by a variable extended heating of the corona. A compatible theoretical formulation is given and detailed numerical and systematic asymptotic theoretical considerations are presented. The polytropic conditions favor an enhanced conversion of thermal energy in the solar wind into kinetic energy of the outward flow and are hence shown to enhance the acceleration of the solar wind, thus indicating a quicker loss of the solar angular momentum.     

Observational Evidence for Energy Accumulation and Dissipation in Coronal Magnetic Loops

Using the Wigner-Ville transform, we study the dynamic spectra of low-frequency modulation of the intensity of microwave emission from several solar flares and detect the microwave bursts modulated by chirp signals (i.e., signals whose frequencies =₀± kt, where k is a constant and t is the time) with a positive chirp rate. Such a modulation corresponds to the process of energy accumulation in the corresponding coronal magnetic loop (CML). We also detect chirp modulation with a negative chirp rate corresponding to powerful dissipation of electric current in the CML during a solar flare. The chirp modulation of the intensity of microwave emission from a CML arises from the excitation of eigenoscillations of the loop as an equivalent electric circuit. In this case, the modulation frequency is proportional to the loop electric current and varies with the variation of the latter. The electric-current values found for a few events using the dynamic spectra of chirp signals lie in the range 10¹¹-10¹²A, and the rate of energy increase (decrease) is estimated to be 1.4·10²⁶-3·10²⁹ erg/sec for the characteristic time scale 10³-4·10⁴ sec. The events studied give evidence for the possibility of realizing the circuit model of solar flares under solar-corona conditions.     

Manifestation of microflares in modulation of the microwave radiation of the coronal magnetic loops

We reveal a modulation the frequency of which varies quasi-periodically with a variation period of about 150 s when analyzing the low-frequency modulation of the intensity of the solar microwave radiation. It is shown that this modulation can be a manifestation of the microflares occurring in the coronal magnetic loop. The interaction of 5-min photospheric oscillations with currentcarrying loops results in modulation of the electric current in the loop and, as a result, generation of the inductive electric field. This leads to the emergence of a group of runaway electrons and their acceleration by the electric field. The most favorable conditions for the acceleration appear near the loop top, where the Dreicer field is minimum. When the electrons accelerated in the region near the top of the loop reach its footpoints, a microflare is observed. The radiation loss of the loop and the energy which is released in the loop as a result of the microflares are compared It is shown that for some loop parameters, the radiation loss can be compensated completely and the heating can exceed the radiation loss.     

Helicity redistribution during relaxation of astrophysical plasmas

We present the first 3D numerical MHD simulations that show that Taylor's relaxation conjecture is not satisfied in some MHD evolution of magnetic configurations encountered in solar physics. We show that magnetic helicity can be slowly injected through the boundary into a magnetic configuration which then evolves into a MHD disruption, with the formation in finite time of a current sheet through which reconnection occurs, leading to a release of magnetic energy. While helicity is well conserved during the process, it is shown that the relaxed state is far from the constant- alpha linear force-free field that would be predicted by Taylor's conjecture.     

太阳日冕物质抛射的磁流体力学性质

太阳是离地球最近的一颗恒星，太阳日冕物质抛射是太阳大气中最剧烈的一种活动现象．当日冕物质抛射爆发时，大量的等离子体物质从接近太阳日面的低日冕被抛出，瞬时释放出巨大的能量．当一部分这些物质和能量传播到地球附近时，可以造成短波通讯中断、卫星工作失常等破坏性现象．文章作者认为，是缠绕的太阳磁场提供了足够的能量，使这些日冕物质可以克服恒星的重力以及周边磁场的束缚抛射出来；而磁螺度在日冕中的不断积累，不仅为日冕物质抛射提供了能量基础，而且使爆发在一定程度上成为一种日冕演化的必然。     

A phenomenological,kinematical model of the coronal magnetic fields in terms of thin flux tubes rising from the photosphere

A kinematical model is necessary for understanding the gross structure of the coronal magnetic field and its slow evolution in consistency with the small scale structure of the photospheric fields. Here we have developed a preliminary phenomenological model in terms of flux tubes of flux amounts ≈ 10¹⁷ − 10^18.5 Mx rising across the inner corona in the form of arches and opening out in the outer corona. In contrast to Parker’s estimate, this model is consistent with the observed spans of the chromospheric fibrils and x-ray arches. It is also consistent with the number of flux tubes present above the photosphere as estimated from the observed abundance of spicules.     

The space environment monitor aboard FY-2 satellite

The space environment monitor (SEM) aboard FY-2 satellite consists of the high energy particle detector (HEPD) and the solar X-ray flux detector (SXFD). The SEM can provide real-time monitoring of flare and solar proton event for its operation at geostationary orbit and is also the first Chinese space system for monitoring and alerting solar proton event. During the 23rd solar maximum cycle, almost all the solar proton events that took place in this period are monitored and some of them are predicted successfully by analyzing the characteristics of X-ray flare monitored by the SEM. Some basic variation characteristics of particle at geostationary orbit are found such as day-night periodic variation of particle flux, the electron flux with energy >1.4 MeV in the scope from 10 to 200/cm2 s sr and the proton flux with energy >1.1 MeV in the scope from 600 to 8000/cm·s·sr during the time with no magnetic storm and solar eruption.