DRIFT-KINETIC MODELING OF PARTICLE ACCELERATION AND TRANSPORT IN SOLAR FLARES

Journal Article · Sat May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/714/1/332· OSTI ID:21448927

Minoshima, T; Masuda, S; Miyoshi, Y ^[1]

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1. Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601 (Japan)

Based on the drift-kinetic theory, we develop a model for particle acceleration and transport in solar flares. The model describes the evolution of the particle distribution function by means of a numerical simulation of the drift-kinetic Vlasov equation, which allows us to directly compare simulation results with observations within an actual parameter range of the solar corona. Using this model, we investigate the time evolution of the electron distribution in a flaring region. The simulation identifies two dominant mechanisms of electron acceleration. One is the betatron acceleration at the top of closed loops, which enhances the electron velocity perpendicular to the magnetic field line. The other is the inertia drift acceleration in open magnetic field lines, which produces antisunward electrons. The resulting velocity space distribution significantly deviates from an isotropic distribution. The former acceleration can be a generation mechanism of electrons that radiate loop-top nonthermal emissions, and the latter of escaping electrons from the Sun that should be observed by in situ measurements in interplanetary space and resulting radio bursts through plasma instabilities.

• OSTI ID: 21448927
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 714, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/714/1/332; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
ACCELERATION
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTRONS
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MOMENT OF INERTIA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
SOLAR CORONA
SOLAR FLARES
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION
SUN
ATMOSPHERES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUATIONS
EVOLUTION
FERMIONS
FUNCTIONS
INSTABILITY
LEPTONS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
SIMULATION
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
SPACE
STARS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR CORONAE
STELLAR FLARES