arXiv subjects

Jaroslav Dudik

Publications and source records attributed to Jaroslav Dudik.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Determining the nanoflare heating frequency of an X-ray Bright Point observed by MaGIXS

Nanoflares are thought to be one of the prime candidates that can heat the solar corona to its multi-million kelvin temperature. Individual nanoflares are difficult to detect with the present generation instruments, however their presence can be inferred by comparing simulated nanoflare-heated plasma emissions with the observed emission. Using HYDRAD coronal loop simulations, we model the emission from an X-ray bright point (XBP) observed by the Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS), along with nearest-available observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and X-Ray Telescope (XRT) onboard Hinode observatory. The length and magnetic field strength of the coronal loops are derived from the linear-force-free extrapolation of the observed photospheric magnetogram by Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard SDO. Each loop is assumed to be heated by random nanoflares, whose magnitude and frequency are determined by the loop length and magnetic field strength. The simulation results are then compared and matched against the measured intensity from AIA, XRT, and MaGIXS. Our model results indicate the observed emissions from the XBP under study could be well matched by a distribution of nanoflares with average delay times 1500 s to 3000 s, which suggest that the heating is dominated by high-frequency events. Further, we demonstrate the high sensitivity of MaGIXS and XRT to diagnose the heating frequency using this method, while AIA passbands are found to be the least sensitive.

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arXiv2023

KAPPA: A Package for Synthesis of Optically Thin Spectra for the Non-Maxwellian Kappa-Distributions. III. Improvements to Ionization Equilibrium and Extension to Kappa < 2

The KAPPA package is designed for calculations of optically thin spectra for the non-Maxwellian \k{appa}-distributions. This paper presents extension of the database to allow calculations of the spectra for extreme values of \k{appa} < 2, which are important for accurate diagnostics of the \k{appa}-distributions in the outer solar atmosphere. In addition, two improvements were made to the ionization equilibrium calculations within the database. First, the ionization equilibrium calculations now include the effect of electron impact multi-ionization (EIMI). Although relatively unimportant for Maxwellian distribution, the EIMI becomes important for some elements such as Fe and low values of \k{appa}, where it modifies the ionization equilibrium significantly. Second, the KAPPA database now includes the suppression of dielectronic recombination at high electron densities, evaluated via the suppression factors. We find that at the same temperature, the suppression of dielectronic recombination is almost independent of \k{appa}. The ionization equilibrium calculations for the \k{appa}-distributions are now provided for a range of electron densities.

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arXiv2022

Filament Leg--Leg Reconnection as a Source of Prominent Supra-Arcade Downflows

We report on interaction of the legs of the erupting filament of 2012 August 31 and associated prominent supra-arcade downflows (P-SADs) as observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory. We employ a number of image processing techniques to enhance weak interacting features. As the filament erupts, both legs stretch outwards. The positive-polarity leg also untwists and splits into two parts. The first part runs into the conjugate (negative-polarity) leg, tearing it apart. The second part then converges into the remnant of the conjugate leg, after which both weaken and finally disappear. All these episodes of interaction of oppositely-oriented filament legs are followed by appearance of P-SADs, seen in the on-disk projection to be shaped as loop-tops, along with many weaker SADs. All SADs are preceded by hot supra-arcade downflowing loops. This observed evolution is consistent with the three-dimensional rr-rf (leg-leg) reconnection, where the erupting flux rope reconnects with itself. In our observations, as well as in some models, the reconnection in this geometry is found to be long-lasting. It plays a substantial role in the evolution of the flux rope of the erupting filament and leads to prominent supra-arcade downflows.

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arXiv2019

Observation of all pre- and post-reconnection structures involved in three-dimensional reconnection geometries in solar eruptions

We report on observations of the two newly-identified reconnection geometries involving erupting flux ropes. In 3D, a flux rope can reconnect either with a surrounding coronal arcade (recently named "ar-rf" reconnection) or with itself ("rr-rf" reconnection), and both kinds of reconnection create a new flux rope field line and a flare loop. For the first time, we identify all four constituents of both reconnections in a solar eruptive event, the filament eruption of 2011 June 07 observed by SDO/AIA. The ar-rf reconnection manifests itself as shift of one leg of the filament by more than 25" northward. At its previous location, a flare arcade is formed, while the new location of the filament leg previously corresponded to a footpoint of a coronal loop in 171 A. In addition, the evolution of the flare ribbon hooks is also consistent with the occurrence of ar--rf reconnection as predicted by MHD simulations. Specifically, the growing hook sweeps footpoints of preeruptive coronal arcades, and these locations become inside the hook. Furthermore, the rr-rf reconnection occurs during the peak phase above the flare arcade, in an apparently X-type geometry involving a pair of converging bright filament strands in the erupting filament. A new flare loop forms near the leg of one of the strands, while a bright blob, representing a remnant of the same strand, is seen ascending into the erupting filament. All together, these observations vindicate recent predictions of the 3D standard solar flare model.

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arXiv2019

Manifestations of three dimensional magnetic reconnection in an eruption of a quiescent filament: \\ Filament strands turning to flare loops

We report on observations of conversion of bright filament strands into flare loops during 2012 August 31 filament eruption. Prior to the eruption, individual bright strands composing one of the legs of the filament were observed in the 171 A filter channel data of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. After the onset of the eruption, one of the hooked ribbons started to propagate and contract, sweeping footpoints of the bright filament strands as well as coronal loops located close by. Later on, hot flare loops appeared in regions swept by the hook, where the filament strands were rooted. Timing and localization of these phenomena suggest that they are caused by reconnection of field lines composing the filament at the hook, which, to our knowledge, has not been observed before. This process is not included in the standard flare model (CSHKP), as it does not address footpoints of erupting flux ropes and ribbon hooks. It has, however, been predicted using the recent three-dimensional extensions to the standard flare model. There, the erupting flux rope can reconnect with surrounding coronal arcades as the hooked extensions of current ribbons sweep its footpoints. This process results in formation of flare loops rooted in previous footpoints of the flux rope. Our observations of sweeping of filament footpoints are well described by this scenario. In all observed cases, all of the footpoints of the erupting filament became footpoints of flare loops. This process was observed to last for about 150 minutes, throughout the whole eruption.

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arXiv2019

Observations of a Footpoint Drift of an Erupting Flux Rope

We analyze the imaging observations of an M-class eruptive flare of 2015 November, 4. The pre-eruptive H alpha filament was modelled by the non-linear force free field model, which showed that it consisted of two helical systems. Tether-cutting reconnection involving these two systems led to the formation of a hot sigmoidal loop structure rooted in a small hook that formed at the end of the flare ribbon. Subsequently, the hot loops started to slip away form the small hook until it disappeared. The loops continued slipping and the ribbon elongated itself by several tens of arc seconds. A new and larger hook then appeared at the end of elongated ribbon with hot and twisted loops rooted there. After the eruption of these hot loops, the ribbon hook expanded and later contracted. We interpret these observations in the framework of the recent three dimensional (3D) extensions to the standard solar flare model, which predict the drift of the flux rope footpoints. The hot sigmoidal loop is interpreted as the flux rope, whose footpoints drift during the eruption. While the deformation and drift of the new hook can be described by the model, the displacement of the flux rope footpoint from the filament to that of the erupting flux rope indicate that the hook evolution can be more complex than those captured by the model.

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arXiv2019

Signatures of the non-Maxwellian $κ$-distributions in optically thin line spectra. II. Synthetic Fe XVII--XVIII X-ray coronal spectra and predictions for the Marshall Grazing-Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS)

We investigated the possibility of diagnosing the degree of departure from the Maxwellian distribution using the Fe XVII - Fe XVIII spectra originating in plasmas in collisional ionization equilibrium, such as in the cores of solar active regions or microflares. The original collision strengths for excitation are integrated over the non-Maxwellian electron $κ$-distributions characterized by a high-energy tail. Synthetic X-ray emission line spectra were calculated for a range of temperatures and $κ$. We focus on the 6-24 A spectral range to be observed by the upcoming Marshall Grazing-Incidence X-ray Spectrometer MaGIXS. We find that many line intensity ratios are sensitive to both $T$ and $κ$. Best diagnostic options are provided if a ratio involving both Fe XVII and Fe XVIII is combined with another ratio involving lines formed within a single ion. The sensitivity of such diagnostics to $κ$ is typically a few tens of per cent. Much larger sensitivity, of about a factor of two to three, can be obtained if the Fe XVIII 93.93 A line observed by SDO/AIA is used in conjuction with the X-ray lines. We conclude that the MaGIXS instrument is well-suited for detection of departures from the Maxwellian distribution, especially in active region cores.

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arXiv2018

Drifting of the line-tied footpoints of CME flux-ropes

Existing 3D extensions to the standard model show that flux-rope footpoints are surrounded by curved-shaped QSL-footprints that can be related with hook-shaped flare-ribbons. We build upon this finding and further address the joint questions of their time-evolution, and of the formation of flare loops at the ends of flaring PILs of the erupting bipole, which are both relevant for flare understanding in general and for ICME studies in particular. We calculate QSLs and relevant field lines in an MHD simulation of a torus-unstable flux-rope. The evolving QSL footprints are used to define the outer edge of the flux rope at different times, and to identify and characterize new 3D reconnection geometries and sequences that occur above the ends of the flaring PIL. We also analyse flare-ribbons as observed in EUV by SDO/AIA and IRIS during two X-class flares. The flux-rope footpoints are drifting during the eruption, which is unexpected due to line-tying. This drifting is due to a series of coronal reconnections that erode the flux rope on one side and enlarge it on the other side. Other changes in the flux-rope footpoint-area are due to multiple reconnections of individual field lines whose topology can evolve sequentially from arcade to flux rope and finally to flare loop. These are associated with deformations and displacements of QSL footprints, which resemble those of the studied flare ribbons. Our model predicts continuous deformations and a drifting of ICME flux-rope footpoints whose areas are surrounded by equally-evolving hooked-shaped flare-ribbons, as well as the formation of flare loops at the ends of flaring PILs which originate from the flux-rope itself, both of which being due to purely three-dimensional reconnection geometries. The observed evolution of flare-ribbons in two events supports the model, but more observations are required to test all its predictions.

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arXiv2018

Solar radio burst associated with the falling bright EUV blob

At the beginning of the 4 November 2015 flare, in the 1300 -- 2000 MHz frequency range, we observed a very rare slowly positively drifting burst. We searched for associated phenomena in simultaneous EUV observations made by IRIS, SDO/AIA, Hinode/XRT and in H alpha observations. We found that this radio burst was accompanied with the bright blob, visible at transition region, coronal, and flare temperatures, falling down to the chromosphere along the dark loop with the velocity of about 280 km/s. The dark loop was visible in H alpha but disappeared afterwards. Furthermore, we found that the falling blob interacted with the chromosphere as expressed by a sudden change of the H alpha spectra at the location of this interaction. Considering different possibilities we propose that the observed slowly positively drifting burst is generated by the thermal conduction front formed in front of the falling hot EUV blob.

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arXiv2018

Spectroscopic diagnostics of the non-Maxwellian $κ$-distributions using SDO/EVE observations of the 2012 March 7 X-class flare

Spectroscopic observations made by the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) during the 2012 March 7 X5.4-class flare (SOL2012-03-07T00:07) are analyzed for signatures of the non-Maxwellian kappa-distributions. Observed spectra were averaged over 1 minute to increase photon statistics in weaker lines and the pre-flare spectrum was subtracted. Synthetic line intensities for the kappa-distributions are calculated using the KAPPA database. We find strong departures (kappa < 2) during the early and impulsive phases of the flare, with subsequent thermalization of the flare plasma during the gradual phase. If the temperatures are diagnosed from a single line ratio, the results are strongly dependent on the value of kappa. For kappa=2, we find temperatures about a factor of two higher than the commonly used Maxwellian ones. The non-Maxwellian effects could also cause the temperatures diagnosed from line ratios and from the ratio of GOES X-ray channels to be different. Multithermal analysis reveals the plasma to be strongly multithermal at all times with flat DEMs. For lower kappa, the DEM_kappa are shifted towards higher temperatures. The only parameter that is nearly independent of kappa is electron density, where we find log(N_e) $\approx$ 11.5 almost independently of time. We conclude that the non-Maxwellian effects are important and should be taken into account when analyzing solar flare observations, including spectroscopic and imaging ones.

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arXiv2017

Non-equilibrium ionization by a periodic electron beam II. Synthetic Si IV and O IV transition region spectra

Transition region (TR) spectra typically show the Si IV 1402.8 A line to be enhanced by a factor of 5 or more compared to the neighboring O IV 1401.2 A, contrary to predictions of ionization equilibrium models and the Maxwellian distribution of particle energies. Non-equilibrium effects in TR spectra are therefore expected. To investigate the combination of non-equilibrium ionization and high-energy particles, we apply the model of the periodic electron beam, represented by a kappa-distribution that recurs at periods of several seconds, to plasma at chromospheric temperatures of 10^4 K. This simple model can approximate a burst of energy release involving accelerated particles. Instantaneous time-dependent charge states of silicon and oxygen were calculated and used to synthesize the instantaneous and period-averaged spectra of Si IV and O IV. The electron beam drives the plasma out of equilibrium. At electron densities of N_e = 10^10 cm^-3, the plasma is out of ionization equilibrium at all times in all cases we considered, while for a higher density of N_e = 10^11 cm^-3, ionization equilibrium can be reached toward the end of each period, depending on the conditions. In turn, the character of the period-averaged synthetic spectra also depends on the properties of the beam. While the case of kappa = 2 results in spectra with strong or even dominant O IV, higher values of kappa can approximate a range of observed TR spectra. Spectra similar to typically observed spectra, with the Si IV 1402.8 A line about a factor 5 higher than O IV 1401.2 A, are obtained for kappa = 3. An even higher value of kappa = 5 results in spectra that are exclusively dominated by Si IV, with negligible O IV emission. This is a possible interpretation of the TR spectra of UV bursts, although an interpretation that requires a density that is 1-3 orders of magnitude lower than for equilibrium estimates.

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arXiv2017

Non-Maxwellian analysis of the transition-region line profiles observed by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph

We investigate the nature of the spectral line profiles for transition region ions observed with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). In this context, we have analyzed an active-region observation performed by IRIS in its 1400 A spectral window. The transition-region lines are found to exhibit significant wings in their spectral profiles, which can be well-fitted with non-Maxwellian kappa-distribution. The fit with a kappa-distribution can perform better than a double Gaussian fit, especially for the strongest line, Si IV 1402.8 A. Typical values of $κ$ found are about 2, occurring in a majority of spatial pixels where the transition region lines are symmetric, i.e., the fit can be performed. Furthermore, all five spectral lines studied (from Si IV, O IV and S IV) appear to have the same FWHM irrespective of whether the line is an allowed or an intercombination transition. A similar value of kappa is obtained for the electron distribution by fitting of the line intensities relative to Si IV 1402.8 A, if photospheric abundances are assumed. The kappa-distributions however do not remove the presence of non-thermal broadening. Instead, they actually increase the non-thermal width. This is because for kappa-distributions the transition-region ions are formed at lower temperatures. The large observed non-thermal width lowers the opacity of the Si IV line sufficiently enough for this line to become optically thin.

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arXiv2016

Slipping Magnetic Reconnection, Chromospheric Evaporation, Implosion, and Precursors in the 2014 September 10 X1.6-Class Solar Flare

We investigate the occurrence of slipping magnetic reconnection, chromospheric evaporation, and coronal loop dynamics in the 2014 September 10 X-class flare. The slipping reconnection is found to be present throughout the flare from its early phase. Flare loops are seen to slip in opposite directions towards both ends of the ribbons. Velocities of 20--40 km\,s$^{-1}$ are found within time windows where the slipping is well resolved. The warm coronal loops exhibit expanding and contracting motions that are interpreted as displacements due to the growing flux rope that subsequently erupts. This flux rope existed and erupted before the onset of apparent coronal implosion. This indicates that the energy release proceeds by slipping reconnection and not via coronal implosion. The slipping reconnection leads to changes in the geometry of the observed structures at the \textit{IRIS} slit position, from flare loop top to the footpoints in the ribbons. This results in variations of the observed velocities of chromospheric evaporation in the early flare phase. Finally, it is found that the precursor signatures including localized EUV brightenings as well as non-thermal X-ray emission are signatures of the flare itself, progressing from the early phase towards the impulsive phase, with the tether-cutting being provided by the slipping reconnection. The dynamics of both the flare and outlying coronal loops is found to be consistent with the predictions of the standard solar flare model in 3D.

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arXiv2016

Non-equilibrium ionization by a periodic electron beam. I. Synthetic coronal spectra and implications for interpretation of observations

Context. Coronal heating is currently thought to proceed via the mechanism of nanoflares, small-scale and possibly recurring heating events that release magnetic energy. Aims. We investigate the effects of a periodic high-energy electron beam on the synthetic spectra of coronal Fe ions. Methods. Initially, the coronal plasma is assumed to be Maxwellian with a temperature of 1 MK. The high-energy beam, described by a kappa-distribution, is then switched on every period $P$ for the duration of P/2. The periods are on the order of several tens of seconds, similar to exposure times or cadences of space-borne spectrometers. Ionization, recombination, and excitation rates for the respective distributions are used to calculate the resulting non-equilibrium ionization state of Fe and the instantaneous and period-averaged synthetic spectra. Results. Under the presence of the periodic electron beam, the plasma is out of ionization equilibrium at all times. The resulting spectra averaged over one period are almost always multithermal if interpreted in terms of ionization equilibrium for either a Maxwellian or a kappa-distribution. Exceptions occur, however; the EM-loci curves appear to have a nearly isothermal crossing-point for some values of kappa_s. The instantaneous spectra show fast changes in intensities of some lines, especially those formed outside of the peak of the respective EM(T) distributions if the ionization equilibrium is assumed.

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arXiv2015

Imaging and Spectroscopic Observations of a Transient Coronal Loop: Evidence for the Non-Maxwellian $κ$-Distributions

We report on the SDO/AIA and Hinode/EIS observations of a transient coronal loop. The loop brightens up in the same location after the disappearance of an arcade formed during a B8.9-class microflare three hours earlier. EIS captures this loop during its brightening phase as observed in most of the AIA filters. We use the AIA data to study the evolution of the loop, as well as to perform the DEM diagnostics as a function of $κ$. Fe XI--XIII lines observed by EIS are used to perform the diagnostics of electron density and subsequently the diagnostics of $κ$. Using ratios involving the Fe XI 257.772Åselfblend, we diagnose $κ$ $\lesssim$ 2, i.e., an extremely non-Maxwellian distribution. Using the predicted Fe line intensities derived from the DEMs as a function of $κ$, we show that, with decreasing $κ$, all combinations of ratios of line intensities converge to the observed values, confirming the diagnosed $κ$ $\lesssim$ 2. These results represent the first positive diagnostics of $κ$-distributions in the solar corona despite the limitations imposed by calibration uncertainties.

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arXiv2014

On the Area Expansion of Magnetic Flux-Tubes in Solar Active Regions

We calculated the 3D distribution of the area expansion factors in a potential magnetic field extrapolated from the high-resolution \textit{Hinode}/SOT magnetogram of a quiescent active region NOAA 11482. Retaining only closed loops within the computational box, we show that the distribution of area expansion factors show significant structure. Loop-like structures characterized by locally lower values of the expansion factor are embedded in a smooth background. These loop-like flux-tubes have squashed cross-sections and expand with height. The distribution of the expansion factors show overall increase with height, allowing an active region core characterized by low values of the expansion factor to be distinguished. The area expansion factors obtained from extrapolation of the SOT magnetogram are compared to those obtained from an approximation of the observed magnetogram by a series of 134 submerged charges. This approximation retains the general flux distribution in the observed magnetogram, but removes the small-scale structure in both the approximated magnetogram and the 3D distribution of the area expansion factors. We argue that the structuring of the expansion factor can be a significant ingredient in producing the observed structuring of the solar corona. However, due to the potential approximation used, these results may not be applicable to loops exhibiting twist neither to active regions producing significant flares.

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arXiv2013

H to Zn Ionization Equilibrium for the Non-Maxwellian Electron kappa-distributions: Updated Calculations

New data for calculation of the ionization and recombination rates have have been published in the past few years. Most of these are included in CHIANTI database. We used these data to calculate collisional ionization and recombination rates for the non-Maxwellian kappa-distributions with an enhanced number of particles in the high-energy tail, which have been detected in the solar transition region and the solar wind. Ionization equilibria for elements H to Zn are derived. The kappa-distributions significantly influence both the ionization and recombination rates and widen the ion abundance peaks. In comparison with Maxwellian distribution, the ion abundance peaks can also be shifted to lower or higher temperatures. The updated ionization equilibrium calculations result in large changes for several ions, notably Fe VIII--XIV. The results are supplied in electronic form compatible with the CHIANTI database.

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