Young, P.R., Keenan, F.P., Milligan, R.O. and Peter, H. (2018) A Si iv/O iv electron density diagnostic for the analysis of IRIS solar spectra. Astrophysical Journal, 857(1), 5. (doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/aab556)
|
Text
160431.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. 812kB |
Abstract
Solar spectra of ultraviolet bursts and flare ribbons from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) have suggested high electron densities of 10 > 12 cm−3 at transition region temperatures of 0.1 MK, based on large intensity ratios of Si IV λ1402.77 to O IV λ1401.16. In this work, a rare observation of the weak O IV λ1343.51 line is reported from an X-class flare that peaked at 21:41 UT on 2014 October 24. This line is used to develop a theoretical prediction of the Si IV λ1402.77 to O IV λ1401.16 ratio as a function of density that is recommended to be used in the high-density regime. The method makes use of new pressure-dependent ionization fractions that take account of the suppression of dielectronic recombination at high densities. It is applied to two sequences of flare kernel observations from the October 24 flare. The first shows densities that vary between 3 10 ´ 12 and 3 10 ´ 13 cm−3 over a seven-minute period, while the second location shows stable density values of around 2 10 ´ 12 cm−3 over a three-minute period.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Milligan, Dr Ryan |
| Authors: | Young, P.R., Keenan, F.P., Milligan, R.O., and Peter, H. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Journal Name: | Astrophysical Journal |
| Publisher: | IOP Publishing |
| ISSN: | 1538-4357 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1538-4357 |
| Published Online: | 06 April 2018 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2018 The American Astronomical Society |
| First Published: | First published in Astrophysical Journal 857(1): 5 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information