15 research outputs found
Observations of Low Frequency Solar Radio Bursts from the Rosse Solar-Terrestrial Observatory
The Rosse Solar-Terrestrial Observatory (RSTO; www.rosseobservatory.ie) was
established at Birr Castle, Co. Offaly, Ireland (53 05'38.9", 7 55'12.7") in
2010 to study solar radio bursts and the response of the Earth's ionosphere and
geomagnetic field. To date, three Compound Astronomical Low-cost Low-frequency
Instrument for Spectroscopy and Transportable Observatory (CALLISTO)
spectrometers have been installed, with the capability of observing in the
frequency range 10-870 MHz. The receivers are fed simultaneously by biconical
and log-periodic antennas. Nominally, frequency spectra in the range 10-400 MHz
are obtained with 4 sweeps per second over 600 channels. Here, we describe the
RSTO solar radio spectrometer set-up, and present dynamic spectra of a sample
of Type II, III and IV radio bursts. In particular, we describe fine-scale
structure observed in Type II bursts, including band splitting and rapidly
varying herringbone features
Radio Bursts Associated with Flare and Ejecta in the 13 July 2004 Event
We investigate coronal transients associated with a GOES M6.7 class flare and
a coronal mass ejection (CME) on 13 July 2004. During the rising phase of the
flare, a filament eruption, loop expansion, a Moreton wave, and an ejecta were
observed. An EIT wave was detected later on. The main features in the radio
dynamic spectrum were a frequency-drifting continuum and two type II bursts.
Our analysis shows that if the first type II burst was formed in the low
corona, the burst heights and speed are close to the projected distances and
speed of the Moreton wave (a chromospheric shock wave signature). The
frequency-drifting radio continuum, starting above 1 GHz, was formed almost two
minutes prior to any shock features becoming visible, and a fast-expanding
piston (visible as the continuum) could have launched another shock wave. A
possible scenario is that a flare blast overtook the earlier transient, and
ignited the first type II burst. The second type II burst may have been formed
by the same shock, but only if the shock was propagating at a constant speed.
This interpretation also requires that the shock-producing regions were located
at different parts of the propagating structure, or that the shock was passing
through regions with highly different atmospheric densities. This complex
event, with a multitude of radio features and transients at other wavelengths,
presents evidence for both blast-wave-related and CME-related radio emissions.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures; Solar Physics Topical Issue, in pres
Interchange Slip-Running Reconnection and Sweeping SEP Beams
We present a new model to explain how particles (solar energetic particles;
SEPs), accelerated at a reconnection site that is not magnetically connected to
the Earth, could eventually propagate along the well-connected open flux tube.
Our model is based on the results of a low-beta resistive magnetohydrodynamics
simulation of a three-dimensional line-tied and initially current-free bipole,
that is embedded in a non-uniform open potential field. The topology of this
configuration is that of an asymmetric coronal null-point, with a closed fan
surface and an open outer spine. When driven by slow photospheric shearing
motions, field lines, initially fully anchored below the fan dome, reconnect at
the null point, and jump to the open magnetic domain. This is the standard
interchange mode as sketched and calculated in 2D. The key result in 3D is
that, reconnected open field lines located in the vicinity of the outer spine,
keep reconnecting continuously, across an open quasi-separatrix layer, as
previously identified for non-open-null-point reconnection. The apparent
slipping motion of these field lines leads to form an extended narrow magnetic
flux tube at high altitude. Because of the slip-running reconnection, we
conjecture that if energetic particles would be traveling through, or be
accelerated inside, the diffusion region, they would be successively injected
along continuously reconnecting field lines that are connected farther and
farther from the spine. At the scale of the full Sun, owing to the super-radial
expansion of field lines below 3 solar radii, such energetic particles could
easily be injected in field lines slipping over significant distances, and
could eventually reach the distant flux tube that is well-connected to the
Earth
Radio Observations of the January 20, 2005 X-Class Event
We present a multi-frequency and multi-instrument study of the 20 January
2005 event. We focus mainly on the complex radio signatures and their
association with the active phenomena taking place: flares, CMEs, particle
acceleration and magnetic restructuring. As a variety of energetic particle
accelerators and sources of radio bursts are present, in the flare-ejecta
combination, we investigate their relative importance in the progress of this
event. The dynamic spectra of {Artemis-IV-Wind/Waves-Hiras with 2000 MHz-20 kHz
frequency coverage, were used to track the evolution of the event from the low
corona to the interplanetary space; these were supplemented with SXR, HXR and
gamma-ray recordings. The observations were compared with the expected radio
signatures and energetic-particle populations envisaged by the {Standard
Flare--CME model and the reconnection outflow termination shock model. A proper
combination of these mechanisms seems to provide an adequate model for the
interpretation of the observational data.Comment: Accepted for publication in Solar Physic
Recent Advances in Understanding Particle Acceleration Processes in Solar Flares
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.Comment: This is a chapter in a monograph on the physics of solar flares,
inspired by RHESSI observations. The individual articles are to appear in
Space Science Reviews (2011
Sources of SEP Acceleration during a Flare-CME Event
A high-speed halo-type coronal mass ejection (CME), associated with a GOES
M4.6 soft X-ray flare in NOAA AR 0180 at S12W29 and an EIT wave and dimming,
occurred on 9 November 2002. A complex radio event was observed during the same
period. It included narrow-band fluctuations and frequency-drifting features in
the metric wavelength range, type III burst groups at metric--hectometric
wavelengths, and an interplanetary type II radio burst, which was visible in
the dynamic radio spectrum below 14 MHz. To study the association of the
recorded solar energetic particle (SEP) populations with the propagating CME
and flaring, we perform a multi-wavelength analysis using radio spectral and
imaging observations combined with white-light, EUV, hard X-ray, and
magnetogram data. Velocity dispersion analysis of the particle distributions
(SOHO and Wind in situ observations) provides estimates for the release times
of electrons and protons. Our analysis indicates that proton acceleration was
delayed compared to the electrons. The dynamics of the interplanetary type II
burst identify the burst source as a bow shock created by the fast CME. The
type III burst groups, with start times close to the estimated electron release
times, trace electron beams travelling along open field lines into the
interplanetary space. The type III bursts seem to encounter a steep density
gradient as they overtake the type II shock front, resulting in an abrupt
change in the frequency drift rate of the type III burst emission. Our study
presents evidence in support of a scenario in which electrons are accelerated
low in the corona behind the CME shock front, while protons are accelerated
later, possibly at the CME bow shock high in the corona.Comment: Solar Physics, November 2007, in pres
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Thermal plasma chemical synthesis of powders
Thermal plasma processing has been increasingly used to synthesize submicron powders of high-purity ceramics and metals. The high temperatures generated with the plasma provide a vapor phase reaction zone for elements with high boiling points and refractory materials. An overview is presented on the general plasma technology used in synthesis and on the properties of plasma powders