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arXiv · 1304.1938

Transfer of Energy, Potential, and Current by Alfvén Waves in Solar Flares

D. B. Melrose·M. S. Wheatland
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Abstract

Alfvén waves play three related roles in the impulsive phase of a solar flare: they transport energy from a generator region to an acceleration region; they map the cross-field potential (associated with the driven energy release) from the generator region onto the acceleration region; and within the acceleration region they damp by setting up a parallel electric field that accelerates electrons and transfers the wave energy to them. The Alfvén waves may also be regarded as setting up new closed current loops, with field-aligned currents that close across field lines at boundaries. A model is developed for large-amplitude Alfvén waves that shows how Alfvén waves play these roles in solar flares. A picket-fence structure for the current flow is incorporated into the model to account for the "number problem" and the energy of the accelerated electrons.

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D. B. Melrose, M. S. Wheatland. 2013-04-06. Transfer of Energy, Potential, and Current by Alfvén Waves in Solar Flares. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-013-0305-9

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