Engineering topics

Benz, A. O.

Publications and source records attributed to Benz, A. O..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2011

The Relationship Between Solar Radio and Hard X-Ray Emission

This review discusses the complementary relationship between radio and hard Xray observations of the Sun using primarily results from the era of the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager satellite. A primary focus of joint radio and hard X-ray studies of solar flares uses observations of nonthermal gyrosynchrotron emission at radio wavelengths and bremsstrahlung hard X-rays to study the properties of electrons accelerated in the main flare site, since it is well established that these two emissions show very similar temporal behavior. A quantitative prescription is given for comparing the electron energy distributions derived separately from the two wavelength ranges: this is an important application with the potential for measuring the magnetic field strength in the flaring region, and reveals significant differences between the electrons in different energy ranges. Examples of the use of simultaneous data from the two wavelength ranges to derive physical conditions are then discussed, including the case of microflares, and the comparison of images at radio and hard X-ray wavelengths is presented. There have been puzzling results obtained from observations of solar flares at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths, and the comparison of these results with corresponding hard X-ray data is presented. Finally, the review discusses the association of hard X-ray releases with radio emission at decimeter and meter wavelengths, which is dominated by plasma emission (at lower frequencies) and electron cyclotron maser emission (at higher frequencies), both coherent emission mechanisms that require small numbers of energetic electrons. These comparisons show broad general associations but detailed correspondence remains more elusive.

White, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1995

The Corona of the Young Solar Analog EK Draconis

First coronal microwave and new soft X-ray observations of the very active, near-Zero-Age Main-Sequence (ZAMS) dGOe star EK Dra = HD 129333 show that this analog of the young Sun is more luminous in both emissions than most single M-dwarf flare stars. Variations in the 8.4 GHz flux include modulation with the optically determined rotation period of 2.7 days. This result points to a non-uniform filling of the corona with energetic electrons due to an incomplete coverage of the surface with active regions and a source volume that is not concentric with the star. The radio luminosity varying between log L(sub R) = 13.6 and 14.6 (L(sub R) in erg/s/Hz) shows evidence for unpolarized gyrosynchrotron flares, while strongly polarized flares were absent during the observations. This star is the first young, truly solar-like main sequence G star discovered in microwaves. Having just arrived on the main sequence, it conclusively proves that young, solar-like G stars can maintain very high levels of radio emission after their T Tau phase. The X-ray observations were obtained from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS). The average X-ray luminosity amounts to log L(sub x) = 29.9 (L(sub x) in erg/s). A Raymond-Smith type plasma model fit yields two plasma components at temperatures of 1.9 and 10 MK, with volume emission measures of 1.2 and 2.5 x 10 (exp 52)/cu cm, respectively. The X-ray light curve is significantly variable, with the photon count rate from the cooler plasma being strongly modulated by the rotation period; the emission from the hotter plasma is only weakly variable. Modeling of the source distribution in the stellar corona yields electron densities of the order of 4 x 10(exp 10)/cu cm or higher for the cool plasma component. It indicates that a considerable portion of EK Dra's high X-ray luminosity is due to high-density plasma rather than large emission volume. Parameters for an X-ray flare indicate an electron density of 1.75 x 10(exp 11)/cu cm and a source height of (1-2) x 10(exp 10) cm, compatible with a few times the scale height of the cooler plasma component.

Gudel, M.↗

NASA NTRS1994

The Soft X-Ray/Microwave Ratio of Solar and Stellar Flares and Coronae

We have carried out plasma diagnostics of solar flares using soft X-ray (SXR) and simultaneous microwave observations and have compared the ratio of X-ray to microwave luminosities of solar flares with various active late-type stars available in the published literature. Both the SXR low-level ('quiescent') emission from stellar coronae and the flaring emission from the Sun and stars are generally interpreted as thermal radiations of coronal plasmas. On the other hand, the microwave emission of stars and solar flares is generally attributed to an extremely hot or nonthermal population of electrons. Solar flare SXR are conventionally measured in a narrower and harder passband than the stellar sources. Observations of the GOES-2 satellite in two energy channels have been used to estimate the luminosity of solar flares as it would appear in the ROSAT satellite passband. The solar and stellar flare luminosities fit well at the lower end of the active stellar coronae. The flare SXR/microwave ratio is similar to the ratio for stellar coronae. The average ratio follows a power-law relation L(sub X) varies as L(sub R)(sup 0.73 +/- 0.03) over 10 orders of magnitude from solar microflares to RS CVn and FK Com-type coronae. Dwarf Me and Ke stars, and RS CVn stars are also compatible with a linear SXR/microwave relation, but the ratio is slightly different for each type of star. Considering the differences between solar flares, stellar flares and the various active stellar coronae, the similarity of the SXR/microwave ratios is surprising. It suggests that the energetic electrons in low-level stellar coronae observed in microwaves are related in a similar way to the coronal thermal plasma as flare electrons to the flare thermal plasma, and, consequently, that the heating mechanism of active stellar coronae is a flare-like process.

Benz, A. O.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Decimetric solar type U bursts - VLA and Phoenix observations

Observations of type U bursts, simultaneously detected by the VLA at 1.446 GHz and by the broadband spectrometer Phoenix in the 1.1-1.7 GHz frequency band on August 13, 1989 are reported. Extrapolations of the coronal magnetic field, assuming a potential configuration, indicate that the VLA 20 cm source demarcates an isodensity level. The source covers a wide angle of diverging magnetic field lines whose footpoints originate close to a magnetic intrusion of negative polarity into the main sunspot group of the active region with dominant positive polarity. The centroid of the 20-cm U-burst emission, which corresponds to the turnover frequency of the type U bursts and remains stationary during all U bursts, coincides with the apex of extrapolated potential field lines at a height of about 130,000 km. It is demonstrated that the combination of radio imaging and broadband dynamic spectra, combined with the magnetic field reconstruction from magnetograms, can constrain all physical parameters of a magnetic loop system.

Aschwanden, Markus J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The association of solar millisecond radio spikes with hard X-ray emission

Conventional observational data regarding solar millisecond spikes are compared with data gathered simultaneously in the hard X-ray band by means of a statistical analysis. The analysis considers the association rate, correlation degree, and relative time delays between hard X-ray emissions (in the 25-438 keV range) and radio-spike events. About 95 percent of the radio-spike bursts occur during impulsive hard X-ray bursts, and approximately 43 percent of the compared events are characterized by hard X-ray time profiles that mimic the concentration of simultaneous radio spikes. The delay of the radio emission with respect to the hard X-ray bursts puts some constraints on the acceleration and propagation of particles. The time delays and the quantization into discrete radio events are theorized to be caused by the operation of the accelerator.

Guedel, M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The attractor dimension of solar decimetric radio pulsations

The temporal characteristics of decimetric pulsations and related radio emissions during solar flares are analyzed using statistical methods recently developed for nonlinear dynamic systems. The results of the analysis is consistent with earlier reports on low-dimensional attractors of such events and yield a quantitative description of their temporal characteristics and hidden order. The estimated dimensions of typical decimetric pulsations are generally in the range of 3.0 + or - 0.5. Quasi-periodic oscillations and sudden reductions may have dimensions as low as 2. Pulsations of decimetric type IV continua have typically a dimension of about 4.

Kurths, J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Flare fragmentation and type III productivity in the 1980 June 27 flare

Observations of the solar flare on June 27, 1980 were presented, 16:14-16:33 UT, which was observed by a balloon-borne 300 sq cm phoswich hard X-ray detector and by the IKARUS radio spectrometer. This flare shows intense hard X-ray (HXR) emission and an extreme productivity of (at least 754) type III bursts at 200-400 MHz. A linear correlation was found between the type III burst rate and the HXR fluence. The occurrence of about 10 type III bursts/second, and also the even higher rate of millisecond spikes, suggests a high degree of fragmentation in the acceleration region. This high quantization of injected beams, assuming the thick-target model, shows up in a linear relationship between hard X-ray fluence and the type III rate, but not as fine structures in the HXR time profile. The generation of a superhot isothermal HXR component in the decay phase of the flare coincides with the fade-out of type III production.

Aschwanden, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Hard X-rays and associated weak decimetric bursts

Results are presented of observations (made with the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer on the SMM and with the Itapetinga antenna) that unambiguously show associations of hard X-ray bursts with RS-type III bursts between 16:46 UT and 16:52 UT on July 9, 1985. The comparison between the hard X-ray and the radio observations shows a clear association, in at least 13 cases, of the hard X-ray and the decimetric RS bursts. On the average, the X-ray peaks were delayed from the peak of the RS bursts at 1.6 Ghz by about 400 msec. It is shown that, if the time comparisons are made between the peak of the radio pulse and the start of the X-ray burst, the delays are consistent with an electron travel time with a velocity of about 0.3 c from the 800 MHz plasma level to the lower corona, assuming that the radio emission is at the second harmonic.

Sawant, H. S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Statistical study of the correlation of hard X-ray and type III radio bursts in solar flares

A large number of hard X-ray events which occurred during the maximum of solar cycle 21 have been analyzed in order to study their correlation with type III bursts. It is found that the distribution of occurrences of hard X-ray bursts correlated with type III radio bursts is significantly different from the distribution of all hard X-ray bursts. This result is consistent with the assumption that the hard X-ray and type III intensities are somewhat correlated. A bivariate distribution function of the burst intensities is fitted to the data and is used to determine that the typical ratio of X-ray intensity to type II intensity is about 10 and that the ratio of the number of X-ray producing-electrons to type III-producing electrons is about 1000. Three models which have been proposed to explain the relation between the accelerated hard X-ray and type III-producing electrons are examined in the context of these observations.

Hamilton, Russell J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Correlation of solar radio pulsations with hard X-ray emission

A systematic study of the correlation of quasi-periodic broad-band decimetric pulsations with hard X-ray (HXR) emission is carried out. It is found that, in 11 out of 56 simultaneously observed events, the decimetric quasi-periodic pulsations in the impulsive phase of flares are correlated. If events with concurring type III bursts are included, 19 cases of radio pulsations are correlated with HXR.

Aschwanden, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A plasma radiation model for the prompt radio emission of supernova 1987 A

It is proposed that the prompt radio emission of supernova 1987a a few days after the explosion is the result of a plasma interaction between the ejecta and the presupernova circumstellar matter. The emission frequency then is determined by the electron density in the front of the ejecta, and the radio flux density mainly depends on the velocity of the ejecta and the circumstellar electron density. Free-free absorptions in the interaction region and by the circumstellar medium limit the emission on the high, respectively low, frequency side and inhibit observable emission in the first two days.

Benz, A. O.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Stochastic acceleration of electrons in solar flares

The generation of lower-hybrid waves by cross-field currents is applied to reconnection processes proposed for solar flares. Recent observations on fragmentation of energy release and acceleration, and on hard X-ray (HXR) spectra are taken into account to develop a model for electron acceleration by resonant stochastic interactions with lower-hybrid turbulence. The continuity of the velocity distribution is solved including collisions and escape from the turbulence region. It describes acceleration as a diffusion process in velocity space. The result indicates two regimes that are determined by the energy of the accelerating electrons which may explain the double power-law often observed in HXR spectra. The model further predicts an anticorrelation between HXR flux and spectral index in agreement with observations.

Benz, A. O.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Particle acceleration

Data is compiled from Solar Maximum Mission and Hinothori satellites, particle detectors in several satellites, ground based instruments, and balloon flights in order to answer fundamental questions relating to: (1) the requirements for the coronal magnetic field structure in the vicinity of the energization source; (2) the height (above the photosphere) of the energization source; (3) the time of energization; (4) transistion between coronal heating and flares; (5) evidence for purely thermal, purely nonthermal and hybrid type flares; (6) the time characteristics of the energization source; (7) whether every flare accelerates protons; (8) the location of the interaction site of the ions and relativistic electrons; (9) the energy spectra for ions and relativistic electrons; (10) the relationship between particles at the Sun and interplanetary space; (11) evidence for more than one acceleration mechanism; (12) whether there is single mechanism that will accelerate particles to all energies and also heat the plasma; and (13) how fast the existing mechanisms accelerate electrons up to several MeV and ions to 1 GeV.

Vlahos, L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Electron acceleration in flares inferred from radio and hard X-ray emissions

Properties of electron acceleration in flares, especially the density structure in the acceleration region, are deduced from a correlation study between decimetric type III, spike, and hard X-ray (HXR) bursts. The high association rate found (71 percent) strongly suggests that spikes also originate from energetic electrons. Spikes and type III bursts have been found to be easily identified by their different polarizations. The two types of emission generally do not overlap in frequency. A reliable lower limit to the density is derived from the starting frequency of type III and U bursts. The spike emission very likely yields an upper limit. The density inhomogeneity in the acceleration region spans more than one order of magnitude and is more than one order of magnitude larger in the associated type U sources. A peak-to-peak correlation does not always exist between type III, spike and HXR bursts. This discrepancy can be interpreted in terms of the different source conditions and propagation properties. Whereas spikes need special conditions to become visible, type III and peaks of HXR may be the product of many elementary accelerations.

Benz, A. O.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Extremely rapid radio spikes in flares: A review

Radio spikes of a few to tens of milliseconds of the solar radio emission have recently seen a surge of interest of theoreticians who are fascinated by their high brightness temperature of up to 10 to the 15th power K, their association with hard X-ray bursts, and a possibly very intimate relation to electron acceleration. Their bandwidth and global distribution in frequency were quantitatively measured only recently. This review is intended to emphasize the considerable extend of old and new observational knowledge which is hardly touched upon by theory. The wide range of spike observations is summarized and brought into perspective of recent models. It is concluded that spikes yield a considerable potential for the diagnostics of energetic particles, their origin, and history in astrophysical plasmas.

Benz, A. O.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Correlation of solar decimetric radio bursts with X-ray flares

Several hundred radio bursts in the decimetric wavelength range (300-1000 MHz) have been compared with simultaneous soft and hard X-ray (HXR) emission. Long lasting (type IV) radio events have been excluded. The association of decimetric emission with hard X-rays has been found to be surprisingly high (48 percent). The association rate increases with bandwidth, duration, number of structural elements, and maximum frequency. Type III-like bursts are observed up to the upper limit of the observed band. This demonstrates that the corona is transparent up to densities of about 10 to the 10th/cu cm, contrary to previous assumptions. This can only be explained in an inhomogeneous corona with the radio source being located in a dense structure. The short decimetric bursts generally occur during the impulsive phase, i.e., simultaneously with hard X-rays. The times of maximum flux are well correlated (within 2 s). The HXR emission lasts 4 times longer than the radio emission in the average. This work finds a close relationship between decimetric and HXR emission, with sufficient statistics offering additional information on the flare process.

Aschwanden, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Decimetric gyrosynchrotron emission during a solar flare

The implications of high time-resolution observations of a decimetric, microwave, and hard X-ray burst during a solar flare in which the 900-998 MHz, 8.4 GHz, and 10.4 GHz peak fluxes fit the optically thick spectrum of a homogeneous, thermal gyrosynchrotron source are reported and discussed. The hard X-ray spectrum from 30 to 463 keV is well represented by a thermal bremsstrahlung function, and a temperature derived from this spectrum is used to find the source area of about 10 to the 18th sq cm. An electron density of less than about 7 x 10 to the 9th/cu cm and a magnetic field of roughly 120 gauss are deduced from elementary plasma physics considerations and the lack of Razin-Tsytovich absorption of the 900-998 MHz flux. These conditions place the gyrosynchrotron source at high altitude in a coronal loop, in agreement with VLA observations of other flares.

Batchelor, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A multiwavelength study of a double impulsive flare

Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) and ground-based observations are given for two flares which occurred 3 min apart in the same section of the active region. The physical characteristics of the two flares are derived and compared, and the main difference between them is noted to be in the preflare state of the coronal plasma at the flare site. These data suggest that the plasma filling the flaring loops absorbed most of the energy released during the impulsive phase of the second flare, so that only a fraction of the energy could reach the chromosphere to produce mass motions and turbulence. Since a study of the brightest flares observed by SMM shows that at least 43 percent of them are multiple, the situation presently studied may be quite common, and the difference in initial plasma conditions could explain at least some of the large variations in observed flare parameters.

Strong, K. T.↗