Recent advances in understanding particle acceleration processes in solar flares

Zharkova, V.V. et al. (2011) Recent advances in understanding particle acceleration processes in solar flares. Space Science Reviews, 159(1-4), pp. 357-420. (doi: 10.1007/s11214-011-9803-y)

Abstract

We review basic theoretical concepts in particle acceleration, with particular emphasis on processes likely to occur in regions of magnetic reconnection. Several new developments are discussed, including detailed studies of reconnection in three-dimensional magnetic field configurations (e.g., current sheets, collapsing traps, separatrix regions) and stochastic acceleration in a turbulent environment. Fluid, test-particle, and particle-in-cell approaches are used and results compared. While these studies show considerable promise in accounting for the various observational manifestations of solar flares, they are limited by a number of factors, mostly relating to available computational power. Not the least of these issues is the need to explicitly incorporate the electrodynamic feedback of the accelerated particles themselves on the environment in which they are accelerated. A brief prognosis for future advancement is offered.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Also available as a book chapter in High-Energy Aspects of Solar Flares, Edited by Emslie, A.G., Dennis, B.R., Lin, R.P., Hudson, H, ISBN: 9781461430728, Springer, 2012. http://www.springer.com/la/book/9781461430728
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fletcher, Professor Lyndsay and Browning, Prof Philippa and Kontar, Professor Eduard
• Authors: Zharkova, V.V., Arzner, K., Benz, A.O., Browning, P., Dauphin, C., Emslie, A.G., Fletcher, L., Kontar, E.P., Mann, G., Onofri, M., Petrosian, V., Turkmani, R., Vilmer, N., and Vlahos, L.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Space Science Reviews
• ISSN: 0038-6308

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