arXiv subjects

G. Michalek

Publications and source records attributed to G. Michalek.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

A Wide-band High-frequency Type-II Solar Radio Burst

Type-II radio bursts are typically observed below ~ 400 MHz, with narrow-band slowly-drifting fundamental and harmonic structures. Here we report an unusual high-frequency wide-band type-II burst with starting frequency as high as 600 - 700 MHz and the instantaneous bandwidth being as wide as ~ 300 MHz. The estimated average spectral drift is ~ 2.18 MHz/s, its mean duration at each frequency is ~ 3 min, the maximum brightness temperature can exceed 10^11 to 10^12 K. According to the simultaneous EUV and radio imaging data, the radio sources distribute over a relatively broad region that concentrates around a dip of the nose front of the shock-like EUV wave structure. The dip is likely caused by the strong interaction of the eruption with the overlying closed dense loops that are enclosed by the large-scale streamer structure, indicating that the Type-II burst originates from such CME-shock interaction with dense-closed loop structures. The observations suggest that the unusual wide-band high frequency type-II radio burst originates from a dense streamer region in the corona, supported by EUV shock-like structure that get steepened very close to the solar surface ~ 1.23 R0 and type-II radio source coincides with the shock dip. Further the wide-band feature is due to the source stemming from a region with large density variation and not due to the intensity variation across the shock structure.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

Kinematic study of radio-loud CMEs associated with solar flares and DH type II radio emissions during solar cycles 23 and 24

We have statistically analyzed 379 radio-loud (RL) CMEs and their associated flares during the period 1996 - 2019 covering both solar cycles (SC) 23 and 24. We classified them into two sets of populations based on the observation period: i) 235 events belong to SC 23 (August 1996 - December 2008) and ii) 144 events belong to SC 24 (January 2009 - December 2019). The average residual acceleration of RL CMEs in SC 24 (--17.39 $\pm$ 43.51 m s$^{-2}$) is two times lower than that of the RL CMEs in SC 23 (--8.29 $\pm$ 36.23 m s$^{-2}$), which means that deceleration of RL CMEs in SC 24 is twice as fast as in SC 23. RL CMEs of SC 23 (1443 $\pm$ 504 km s$^{-1}$; 13.82 $\pm$ 7.40 \emph{R}$_{\circledcirc}$) reach their peak speed at higher altitudes than RL CMEs of SC 24 (1920 $\pm$ 649 km s$^{-1}$; 12.51 $\pm$ 7.41 \emph{R}$_{\circledcirc}$).We also observed that the mean apparent widths of RL CMEs in SC 23 are less than in SC 24which is statistically significant. SC 23 has a lower average CME nose height (3.85 \emph{R}$_{\circledcirc}$) at the start time of DH type II bursts than that of SC 24 (3.46 \emph{R}$_{\circledcirc}$). The starting frequencies of DH type II bursts associated with RL CMEs for SC 24 are significantly larger (formed at lower heights) than that of SC 23. We found that there is a good correlation between the drift rates and the mid-frequencies of DH type II radio bursts for both the solar cycles (\emph{R} = 0.80, $ε$ = 1.53). Most of the RL CMEs kinematics and their associated solar flare properties are found similar for SC 23 and SC 24. We concluded that the reduced total pressure in the heliosphere for SC 24 enables RL CMEs to expand wider and decelerate faster, resulting in DH type II radio emissions at lower heights than SC 23.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

Effect of the Weakened Heliosphere in Solar Cycle 24 on the Properties of Coronal Mass Ejections

Solar cycle (SC) 24 has come to an end by the end of 2019, providing information on two full cycles to understand the manifestations of SC 24, the smallest cycle in the Space Age that has resulted in a weak heliospheric state indicated by the reduced pressure. The backreaction of the heliospheric state is to make the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) appear physically bigger than in SC 23, but their magnetic content has been diluted resulting in a lower geoeffectiveness. The heliospheric magnetic field is also lower in SC 24, leading to the dearth of high-energy solar energetic particle (SEP) events. These space weather events closely follow fast and wide (FW) CMEs. All but FW CMEs are higher in number in SC 24. The CME rate vs. sunspot number (SSN) correlation is high in both cycles but the rate increases faster in SC 24. We revisit the study of limb CMEs (those with source regions within 30 degrees from the limb) previously studied over partial cycles. We find that limb CMEs are slower in SC 24 as in the general population but wider. Limb halo CMEs follow the same trend of slower SC-24 CMEs. However, the SC-24 CMEs become halos at a shorter distance from the Sun. Thus, slower CMEs becoming halos sooner is a clear indication of the backreaction of the weaker heliospheric state on CMEs. We can further pin down the heliospheric state as the reason for the altered CME properties because the associated flares have similar distributions in the two cycles, unaffected by the heliospheric state.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2017

Characteristics of events with metric-to-decahectometric type II radio bursts associated with CMEs and flares in relation to SEP events

A gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) event is thought to happen when particles are accelerated at a shock due to a fast coronal mass ejection (CME). To quantify what kind of solar eruptions can result in such SEP events, we have conducted detailed investigations on the characteristics of CMEs, solar flares and m-to-DH wavelength type II radio bursts (herein after m-to-DH type II bursts) for SEP-associated and non-SEP-associated events, observed during the period of 1997-2012. Interestingly, 65% of m-to-DH type II bursts associated with CMEs and flares produced SEP events. The SEP-associated CMEs have higher sky-plane mean speed, projection corrected speed, and sky-plane peak speed than those of non-SEP-associated CMEs respectively by 30%, 39%, and 25%, even though the two sets of CMEs achieved their sky-plane peak speeds at nearly similar heights within LASCO field of view. We found Pearson's correlation coefficients between the speeds of CMEs speeds and logarithmic peak intensity of SEP events are cc = 0.62 and cc = 0.58, respectively. We also found that the SEP-associated CMEs are on average of three times more decelerated (-21.52 m/s2) than the non-SEP-associated CMEs (-5.63 m/s2). The SEP-associated m type II bursts have higher frequency drift rate and associated shock speed than those of the non-SEP-associated events by 70% and 25% respectively. The average formation heights of m and DH type II radio bursts for SEP-associated events are lower than for non-SEP-associated events. 93% of SEP-associated events originate from the western hemisphere and 65% of SEP-associated events are associated with interacting CMEs. The obtained results indicate that, at least for the set of CMEs associated with m-to-DH type II bursts, SEP-associated CMEs are more energetic than those not associated with SEPs, thus suggesting that they are effective particle accelerators.

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arXiv2016

Cooper pair splitting efficiency in the hybrid three-terminal quantum dot

Nanodevices consisting of a quantum dot tunnel coupled to one superconducting and two normal electrodes may serve as a source of entangled electrons. As a result of crossed Andreev reflection the Cooper pair of s-wave character may be split into two electrons and each of them goes into a distinct normal electrode, preserving entanglement. Efficiency of the process depends on the specific system and is tunable by electric means. Our calculations show that in the studied device this efficiency may attain values as large as $80 \%$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Novel non-local effects in three-terminal hybrid devices with quantum dot

We predict strong non-local effects in the three-terminal hybrid device, comprising the quantum dot embedded between two conducting leads and third superconducting reservoir. They result from competition between the ballistic electron transfer and the crossed Andreev scattering. The non-local voltage induced in response to the 'driving' current changes the magnitude and sign upon varying the gate potential and/or coupling to the superconducting lead. Such effect is robust both in the linear and non-linear regimes, where the screening and the long-range interactions play significant role. This novel subgap transport is provided by the Shiba states and can be contrasted with much weaker non-local effects observed hitherto in the three-terminal 'planar' junctions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

The Peculiar Behavior of Halo Coronal Mass Ejections in Solar Cycle 24

We report on a remarkable finding that the halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in cycle 24 are more abundant than in cycle 23, although the sunspot number in cycle 24 has dropped by about 40%. We also find that the distribution of halo-CME source locations is different in cycle 24: the longitude distribution of halos is much flatter with the number of halos originating at central meridian distance >/=60 degrees twice as large as that in cycle 23. On the other hand, the average speed and the associated soft X-ray flare size are the same in the two cycles, suggesting that the ambient medium into which the CMEs are ejected is significantly different. We suggest that both the higher abundance and larger central meridian longitudes of halo CMEs can be explained as a consequence of the diminished total pressure in the heliosphere in cycle 24 (Gopalswamy et al. 2014). The reduced total pressure allows CMEs expand more than usual making them appear as halos.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

Behavior of Solar Cycles 23 and 24 Revealed by Microwave Observations

Using magnetic and microwave butterfly diagrams, we compare the behavior of solar polar regions to show that (i) the polar magnetic field and the microwave brightness temperature during the solar minimum substantially diminished during the cycle 23/24 minimum compared to the 22/23 minimum. (ii) The polar microwave brightness temperature (b) seems to be a good proxy for the underlying magnetic field strength (B). The analysis indicates a relationship, B = 0.0067Tb - 70, where B is in G and Tb in K. (iii) Both the brightness temperature and the magnetic field strength show north-south asymmetry most of the time except for a short period during the maximum phase. (iv) The rush-to-the-pole phenomenon observed in the prominence eruption activity seems to be complete in the northern hemisphere as of March 2012. (v) The decline of the microwave brightness temperature in the north polar region to the quiet-Sun levels and the sustained prominence eruption activity poleward of 60oN suggest that solar maximum conditions have arrived at the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere continues to exhibit conditions corresponding to the rise phase of solar cycle 24.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

Space Weather Application Using Projected Velocity Asymmetry of Halo CMEs

Halo coronal mass ejections (HCMEs) originating from regions close to the center of the Sun are likely to be responsible for severe geomagnetic storms. It is important to predict geo-effectiveness of HCMEs using observations when they are still near the Sun. Unfortunately, coronagraphic observations do not provide true speeds of CMEs due to the projection effects. In the present paper, we present a new technique allowing estimate the space speed and approximate source location using projected speeds measured at different position angles for a given HCME (velocity asymmetry). We apply this technique to HCMEs observed during 2001-2002 and find that the improved speeds are better correlated with the travel times of HCMEs to Earth and with the magnitudes ensuing geomagnetic storms.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

An Asymmetric Cone Model for Halo Coronal Mass Ejections

Due to projection effects, coronagraphic observations cannot uniquely determine parameters relevant to the geoeffectiveness of CMEs, such as the true propagation speed, width, or source location. The Cone Model for Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) has been studied in this respect and it could be used to obtain these parameters. There are evidences that some CMEs initiate from a flux-rope topology. It seems that these CMEs should be elongated along the flux-rope axis and the cross section of the cone base should be rather elliptical than circular. In the present paper we applied an asymmetric cone model to get the real space parameters of frontsided halo CMEs (HCMEs) recorded by SOHO/LASCO coronagraphs in 2002. The cone model parameters are generated through a fitting procedure to the projected speeds measured at different position angles on the plane of the sky. We consider models with the apex of the cone located at the center and surface of the Sun. The results are compared to the standard symmetric cone model.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Width of Radio-Loud and Radio-Quiet CMEs

In the present paper we report on the difference in angular sizes between radio-loud and radio-quiet CMEs. For this purpose we compiled these two samples of events using Wind/WAVES and SOHO/LASCO observations obtained during 1996-2005. It is shown that the radio-loud CMEs are almost two times wider than the radio-quiet CMEs (considering expanding parts of CMEs). Furthermore we show that the radio-quiet CMEs have a narrow expanding bright part with a large extended diffusive structure. These results were obtained by measuring the CME widths in three different ways.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Prediction Space Weather Using an Asymmetric Cone Model for Halo CMEs

Halo coronal mass ejections (HCMEs) are responsible of the most severe geomagnetic storms. A prediction of their geoeffectiveness and travel time to Earth's vicinity is crucial to forecast space weather. Unfortunately coronagraphic observations are subjected to projection effects and do not provide true characteristics of CMEs. Recently, Michalek (2006, {\it Solar Phys.}, {\bf237}, 101) developed an asymmetric cone model to obtain the space speed, width and source location of HCMEs. We applied this technique to obtain the parameters of all front-sided HCMEs observed by the SOHO/LASCO experiment during a period from the beginning of 2001 until the end of 2002 (solar cycle 23). These parameters were applied for the space weather forecast. Our study determined that the space speeds are strongly correlated with the travel times of HCMEs within Earth's vicinity and with the magnitudes related to geomagnetic disturbances.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Geoeffectiveness of halo CMEs

Halo coronal mass ejections (HCMEs) originating from regions close to the center of the Sun are likely to be geoeffective. Assuming that the shape of HCMEs is a cone and they propagate with constant angular widths and velocities, at least in their early phase, we have developed a technique (Michalek et al. 2003) which allowed us to obtain the space speed, width and source location. We apply this technique to obtain the parameters of all full HCMEs observed by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) mission's Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) experiment until the end of 2002. Using this data we examine which parameters determine the geoeffectiveness of HCMEs. We show that in the considered period of time only fast halo CMEs (with the space velocities higher than $\sim 1000{km\over s}$ and originating from the western hemisphere close to the solar center could cause the severe geomagnetic storms. We illustrate how the HCME parameters can be used for space weather forecast. It is also demonstrated that the strength of a geomagnetic storm does not depend on the determined width of HCMEs. This means that HCMEs do not have to be very large to cause major geomagnetic storms.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

A new possibility to estimate the width, source location and velocity of halo CMEs

It is well know that the coronagraphic observations of halo CMEs are subject to projection effects. Viewing in the plane of the sky does not allow us to determine the crucial parameters defining geoeffectivness of CMEs, such as the velocity, width or source location. We assume that halo CMEs at the beginning phase of propagation have constant velocities, are symmetric and propagate with constant angular widths. Using these approximations and determining projected velocities and difference between times when CME appears on the opposite sides of the occulting disk we are able to get the necessary parameters. We present consideration for the whole halo CMEs from SOHO/LASCO catalog until the end of 2000. We show that the halo CMEs are in average much more faster and wider than the all CMEs from the SOHO/LASCO catalog.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Spatial Relationship between Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections

We report on the spatial relationship between solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed during 1996-2005 inclusive. We identified 496 flare-CME pairs considering limb flares (distance from central meridian > 45 deg) with soft X-ray flare size > C3 level. The CMEs were detected by the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). We investigated the flare positions with respect to the CME span for the events with X-class, M-class, and C-class flares separately. It is found that the most frequent flare site is at the center of the CME span for all the three classes, but that frequency is different for the different classes. Many X-class flares often lie at the center of the associated CME, while C-class flares widely spread to the outside of the CME span. The former is different from previous studies, which concluded that no preferred flare site exists. We compared our result with the previous studies and conclude that the long-term LASCO observation enabled us to obtain the detailed spatial relation between flares and CMEs. Our finding calls for a closer flare-CME relationship and supports eruption models typified by the CSHKP magnetic reconnection model.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Harmonic Analysis of Time Variations Observed in the Solar Radio Flux Measured at 810 MHz from 1957 to 2004

Long-running measurements of the solar radio flux density at 810 MHz were processed. Based on the least-squares method and using modified periodograms and an iterative technique of fitting and subtracting sinusoids in the time domain, frequency, amplitude, and phase characteristics of any analyzed time series were obtained. Solar cycles 20, 21, and 22 and shorter segments around solar minima and maxima were examined separately. Also, dynamic studies with 405, 810, and 1620 day windows were undertaken. The harmonic representations obtained for all these time series indicate large differences among solar cycles and their segments. We show that the solar radio flux at 810 MHz violates the Gnevyshev-Ohl rule for the pair of cycles 22-23. Analyzing the period 1957-2004, the following spectral periods longer than 1350 days were detected: 10.6, 8.0, 28.0, 5.3, 55.0, 3.9, 6.0, 4.4, and 14.6 yr. For spectral periods between 270 and 1350 days the 11 yr cycle is not recognized. We think that these harmonics form ``impulses of activity'' or a quasi-biennial cycle defined in the Benevolenskaya model of the ``double magnetic cycle.'' The value of about 0.09 is proposed for the interaction parameter (between the low- and high-frequency components) of this model. We confirm the intermittent behavior of the periodicity near 155 days. Correlation coefficients between the radio emission at 810 MHz and sunspot numbers, as well as the radio emission at 2800 MHz calculated for 540 day intervals, depend on the solar cycle phase.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Spin effects in ferromagnetic single-electron transistors

Electron tunneling in ferromagnetic single-electron transistors is considered theoretically in the sequential tunneling regime. A new formalism is developed, which operates in a two-dimensional space of states, instead of one-dimensiona space used in the spinless case. It is shown that spin fluctuations can be significantly larger than the charge fluctuations. The influence of discrete energy spectrum of a small central electrode on tunneling current, charge and spin accumulation, charge and spin fluctuations, and on tunnel magnetoresistance is analyzed in details. Two different scales are found in the bias dependence of the basic transport characteristics; the shorter one originates from the discrete energy spectrum and the longer one from discrete charging of the central electrode. The features due to discrete spectrum and discrete charging disappear at high temperatures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1999

Theory of spin effect on Coulomb blockade of single-electron tunneling in ferromagnetic system

Spin dependent single electron tunneling in a ferromagnetic double junction is investigated theoretically in the limit of incoherent sequential tunneling. The junction consists of a small nonmagnetic metallic grain with discrete energy levels, which is connected to two ferromagnetic electrodes. We have developed a new theoretical model taking into account charge as well as spin degrees of freedom. The model allows us to investigate new phenomena such as spin accumulation and spin fluctuations.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗