Oscillation of solar radio emission at coronal acoustic cut-off frequency

Recent SECCHI COR2 observations on board STEREO-A spacecraft have detected density structures at a distance of 2.5--15~R propagating with periodicity of about 90~minutes. The observations show that the density structures probably formed in the lower corona. We used the large Ukrainian radio telescope URAN-2 to observe type IV radio bursts in the frequency range of 8--32~MHz during the time interval of 08:15--11:00~UT on August 1, 2011. Radio emission in this frequency range originated at the distance of 1.5--2.5 R according to the Baumbach-Allen density model of the solar corona. Morlet wavelet analysis showed the periodicity of 80~min in radio emission intensity at all frequencies, which demonstrates that there are quasi-periodic variations of coronal density at all heights. The observed periodicity corresponds to the acoustic cut-off frequency of stratified corona at a temperature of 1~MK. We suggest that continuous perturbations of the coronal base in the form of jets/explosive events generate acoustic pulses, which propagate upwards and leave the wake behind oscillating at the coronal cut-off frequency. This wake may transform into recurrent shocks due to the density decrease with height, which leads to the observed periodicity in the radio emission. The recurrent shocks may trigger quasi-periodic magnetic reconnection in helmet streamers, where the opposite field lines merge and consequently may generate periodic density structures observed in the solar wind.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted in A&

Laser action in run-away electron preionized diffuse discharges

Formation features of run-away electron preionized diffuse discharge (REP DD) and REP DD properties in different experimental conditions are studied. It was shown that sufficient uniformity of REP DD allows its application as an excitation source of lasers on different gas mixtures at elevated pressure. Promising results of REP DD application for development of gas lasers are shown. Stimulated radiation in the IR, visible and UV spectral ranges was obtained in the diffuse discharge. Ultimate efficiency of non-chain HF(DF) chemical and nitrogen lasers on mixtures of SF6 with H2(D2) and N2 was achieved. New operation mode of nitrogen laser is demonstrated under REP DD excitation. Kinetic model of the REP DD in mixtures of nitrogen with SF6 is developed allowing to predict the radiation parameters of nitrogen laser at λ = 337,1 nm. Long-pulse operation of rare gas halide lasers was achieved. © (2015) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only

Efficient gas lasers pumped by run-away electron preionized diffuse discharge

It was shown that run-away electron preionized volume (diffuse) discharge (REP DD) can be used as an excitation source of active gas mixtures at elevated pressures and can produce laser emission. We report experimental and calculated results of application of the REP DD for excitation of different active gas mixtures. It was shown that the REP DD allows to obtain efficient lasing stimulated radiation in the IR, visible and UV spectral ranges. Kinetic model of the REP DD in mixtures of nitrogen with SF6 is developed allowing to predict the radiation parameters of nitrogen laser at 337.1 nm. Promising prospects of REP DD employment for exciting a series of gas lasers was demonstrated. Lasing was obtained on molecules N2, HF, and DF with the efficiency close to the limiting value. It was established that the REP DD is most efficient for pumping lasers with the mixtures comprising electro-negative gases. © (2015) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only

Radio seismology of the outer solar corona

Observed oscillations of coronal loops in EUV lines have been successfully used to estimate plasma parameters in the inner corona (< 0.2 R_0, where R_0 is the solar radius). However, coronal seismology in EUV lines fails for higher altitudes because of rapid decrease in line intensity. We aim to use radio observations to estimate the plasma parameters of the outer solar corona (> 0.2 R_0). We use the large Ukrainian radio telescope URAN-2 to observe type IV radio burst at the frequency range of 8-32 MHz during the time interval of 09:50-12:30 UT in April 14, 2011. The burst was connected to C2.3 flare, which occurred in AR 11190 during 09:38-09:49 UT. The dynamic spectrum of radio emission shows clear quasi-periodic variations in the emission intensity at almost all frequencies. Wavelet analysis at four different frequencies (29 MHz, 25 MHz, 22 MHz and 14 MHz) shows the quasi-periodic variation of emission intensity with periods of 34 min and 23 min. The periodic variations can be explained by the first and second harmonics of vertical kink oscillation of transequatorial coronal loops, which were excited by the same flare. The apex of transequatorial loops may reach up to 1.2 R_0 altitude. We derive and solve the dispersion relation of trapped MHD oscillations in a longitudinally inhomogeneous magnetic slab. The analysis shows that a thin (with width to length ratio of 0.1), dense (with the ratio of internal and external densities of > 20) magnetic slab with weak longitudinal inhomogeneity may trap the observed oscillations. Seismologically estimated Alfv\'en speed inside the loop at the height of 1 R_0 is 1000 km/s. Then the magnetic field strength at this height is estimated as 0.9 G. Extrapolation of magnetic field strength to the inner corona gives 10 G at the height of 0.1 R_0.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, Accepted in A&

Fabrication of probes for scanning near-field optical microscopy using focused ion beam

The results were obtained using the infrastructure of the Center for Shared Use “Nanotechnology” of the Southern Federal University