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Title: Peak flux density spectra of large solar radio bursts and proton emission from flares

Journal Article · · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

We have reexamined the relationship between ''U-shaped'' peak flux density microwave spectra and solar proton events for approx.200 large (Sp(> or =2 GHz)> or =800 solar flux units (sfu) microwave bursts (1965-1979). The radio spectra fell into two basic classes: U-shaped, with two maxima (> or =800 sfu) in the range from 200 MHz to > or =10 GHz (59% of all events), and cutoff spectra, with a maximum > or =800 sfu at f> or =2 GHz and Sp (200 MHz)<100 sfu (18%). Nine percent of the events had ''intermediate'' spectra with a maximum > or =800 sfu at f> or =2 GHz and 100 sfu < or =Sp (200 MHz)<800 sfu. We were unable to classify 15% of the events because of incomplete data. The associations of the three classes of spectra with type II (and/or type IV) meter wavelength bursts and >10-MeV proton events of any size (> or =0.01 protons cm/sup -2/ s/sup -1/ sr/sup -1/) are as follows: U-shaped: type II/IV (90% of large microwave bursts with U-shaped spectra are associated with type II/IV events), protons (77%); intermediate: type II/IV (78%), protons (73%); and cutoff, type II/IV (22%), protons (33%). These statistics affirm various lines of evidence linking coronal shock waves and interplanetary proton events. They also suggest that the meter wavelength branch of the U-shaped spectrum may be attributable to second-phase (versus flash phase) accelerated electrons.

Research Organization:
Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts
OSTI ID:
5516050
Journal Information:
J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 90:A7
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English