Stackhouse, D. J. and Kontar, E. P. (2018) Spatially inhomogeneous acceleration of electrons in solar flares. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 612, A64. (doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/201730708)
|
Text
166655.pdf - Accepted Version 1MB |
Abstract
The imaging spectroscopy capabilities of the Reuven Ramaty high energy solar spectroscopic imager (RHESSI) enable the examination of the accelerated electron distribution throughout a solar flare region. In particular, it has been revealed that the energisation of these particles takes place over a region of finite size, sometimes resolved by RHESSI observations. In this paper, we present, for the first time, a spatially distributed acceleration model and investigate the role of inhomogeneous acceleration on the observed X-ray emission properties. We have modelled transport explicitly examining scatter-free and diffusive transport within the acceleration region and compare with the analytic leaky-box solution. The results show the importance of including this spatial variation when modelling electron acceleration in solar flares. The presence of an inhomogeneous, extended acceleration region produces a spectral index that is, in most cases, different from the simple leaky-box prediction. In particular, it results in a generally softer spectral index than predicted by the leaky-box solution, for both scatter-free and diffusive transport, and thus should be taken into account when modelling stochastic acceleration in solar flares.
Item Type: | Articles |
---|---|
Additional Information: | This work was supported by the STFC, via an STFC consolidated grant (EPK) and an STFC studentship (DJS). |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Kontar, Professor Eduard and Stackhouse, Mr Duncan |
Authors: | Stackhouse, D. J., and Kontar, E. P. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
Journal Name: | Astronomy and Astrophysics |
Publisher: | EDP Sciences |
ISSN: | 0004-6361 |
ISSN (Online): | 1432-0746 |
Published Online: | 25 April 2018 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2018 ESO |
First Published: | First published in Astronomy and Astrophysics 612: A64 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
Related URLs: |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record