arXiv subjects

P. F. Chen

Publications and source records attributed to P. F. Chen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Kinematic Relationship Between Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Waves and Type II Metric Radio Bursts

Solar extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) waves are large-scale disturbances that manifest as bright wavefronts, often during coronal mass ejections (CMEs). According to the magnetic field line stretching model, this phenomenon comprises two components: a fast-mode CME piston-driven shock wave and a slower, nonwave component. They are often associated with solar type II radio bursts. It is expected the radio source and the fast-mode EUV wave should come from different parts of the same shock, i.e., the CME piston-driven shock, and their speeds should be strongly correlated. To investigate this relationship, we utilized high spatiotemporal resolution observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory in conjunction with radio data from the Radio Solar Telescope Network. Our analysis reveals that there exists a linear correlation between the EUV fast-mode speeds ($v_{euv}$) and the shock speeds derived from metric (m) type II radio bursts ($v_{radio}$), which is $v_{radio}=0.89v_{euv}+51$ kms$^{-1}$, with a correlation coefficient of 0.77. This strong correlation suggests that original coronal EIT waves, which are about three times slower than type II radio bursts, are not fast-mode waves, and it is misleading to map type II radio bursts to EIT waves in the literature.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

A Modern ConvNet for Solar Filament Detection

Automated solar filament detection using deep learning faces several challenges. Semantic segmentation of solar filaments is a complicated multiscale feature extraction task with long-tail distribution. Furthermore, a large-scale, highly complete, and finely detailed dataset has become mandatory for providing abundant information. To address these challenges, we present a series of machine learning approaches to develop a solar filament detection workflow that performs superbly. First, we manually annotated a small-scale solar filament dataset based on H$\alpha$ spectra called MHAS. Next, we developed the Multiscale ORiented DENdritic (MORDEN) model, a semantic segmentation model focusing on multiscale feature extraction. We also introduced the Dense Conditional Random Field (DenseCRF) and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) methods for post-processing. Using the proposed workflow, we generated a large-scale, high-quality dataset called AHAS. Experimental results demonstrate that MORDEN outperforms several existing solar filament semantic segmentation models with open access. DenseCRF has been demonstrated to effectively capture fine edge details. We also evaluated the effects of data scaling and the reliability of DBSCAN and found that both approaches yield satisfactory performance. Multiple visualization results substantiate our quantitative findings. Our work provides a foundation for maximizing the potential of deep learning models for solar filament detection.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Explainable AI for Solar Flare Prediction: Quantitative Magnetic Field Analysis of Model-Focused Regions

Solar flares are intense energy release events in the solar atmosphere that may pose significant space weather hazards, which makes developing reliable prediction models essential. Although deep learning methods, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), demonstrate strong predictive performance when using solar magnetograms, their scientific credibility is undermined by a lack of physical interpretability. Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) offers a potential solution. However, current XAI studies in solar flare prediction are largely qualitative and lack systematic, theory-based, quantitative validation. We present a quantitative XAI framework that can decipher the physical basis of CNN-based solar flare prediction models. Using gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM), we identify model-focused regions (MFRs) in solar magnetograms. Then, we perform two key analyses to evaluate the predictive capability of magnetic parameters derived from MFRs and to quantitatively characterize their magnetic complexity. Our results reveal a strong physical correlation between MFRs and flare occurrence. Specifically, magnetic features extracted from MFRs demonstrate high predictive power for flares. Flare-producing active regions are characterized by magnetically complex configurations that are dominated by a single polarity rather than by balanced or purely unipolar structures. This finding is consistent with established physical theories of magnetic systems prone to flares. Our results suggest that CNNs can learn physically meaningful representations when trained on large-scale observations. Integrating XAI with quantitative magnetic field analysis improves the physical interpretability of deep learning-based flare prediction models, making them useful tools for prediction and modeling investigation in solar physics.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

A Compact, Ultra-High Resolution VIPA Spectrograph for Solar Spectroscopic Observations: Astrocomb Characterization and First Light

We present a compact, high spectral resolution prototype spectrograph based on a Virtually Imaged Phased Array (VIPA), which is designed for solar spectral observations. This fiber-fed instrument has a size of only 53 $\times$ 20 $\times$ 18 cm$^3$. Wavelength calibration using an astrocomb ($f_{\text{rep}}=25$ GHz) established an operational bandpass of 592.76--657.07 nm and revealed an asymmetric instrumental profile. A Fano-Lorentz product function provides a significantly better fit to this profile than a Gaussian. The measured spectral resolution ranges between 290,000 and 340,000 across the band. Initial on-sky validation at the New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST, Yunnan Observatories) successfully demonstrated the prototype's capabilities: clear detection of solar five-minute oscillations ($\pm 300 \, \text{m s}^{-1}$) in the \ion {Fe}{1} 6280.57 \AA~ line, resolution of magnetic broadening in sunspots using the \ion{Fe}{1} 6173.34 \AA~ line, and the first ground-based definitive identification of the faint \ion{Si}{1} 6560.57 \AA~ line within the H$\alpha$ band. These results validate the VIPA as a promising platform for high spectral resolution solar spectroscopy. Its compact design and performance directly support future applications in multi-object solar studies, high spectral resolution observations for time-domain astronomy, including exoplanet detection, and potential space-borne instrumentation.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

An Improved HDBSCAN-based Detection and Tracking Method for Solar Active Regions in Magnetograms

Solar active regions (ARs) are the primary source of solar eruptions and space weather. Accurate detection and tracking of ARs is crucial for understanding their evolution and predicting solar activities. In the previous work, based on the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) approach, we proposed the DBSCAN-based solar active region detection (DSARD) framework. To overtake its limitations, in this paper we applied the hierarchical density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (HDBSCAN) approach to the detection of solar active regions, which is called the HDBSCAN-based solar active region detection and tracking (HARDAT) method. This enables the algorithm to handle multi-density magnetic structures dynamically, eliminating the need for fixed thresholds. Consequently, the algorithm can detect diffuse and small ARs more effectively while preserving morphological integrity. We have also developed a solar differential rotation based tracking algorithm that integrates physical motion models and Hamming distance similarity metrics to achieve robust multi-object tracking. Additionally, we propose a novel polarity inversion line extraction method that uses support vector classification, which offers superior generalization for complex AR boundaries. Processing line-of-sight magnetograms from SOHO/MDI (1996--2011) and SDO/HMI (2010--2024) and evaluating them against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and DSARD catalogues demonstrates that HARDAT is superior in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, and stability of detection and tracking. This is particularly evident when resolving clustered ARs and maintaining identity continuity. HARDAT therefore offers a comprehensive solution for the long-term analysis of AR evolution and space weather prediction.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Preferential Appearance of H$\alpha$ Moreton Waves along Photospheric Magnetic Network Boundaries

Moreton waves are rare chromospheric signatures of large-scale coronal disturbances, often associated with big flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Using high-cadence, full-disk H$\alpha$ spectroscopic observations from CHASE, together with the EUV data from SDO/AIA and magnetograms from SDO/HMI, we analyzed a coronal EUV wave and an H$\alpha$ Moreton wave event associated with a filament eruption on 2024 July 29. The Moreton wave fronts are roughly cospatial with the fast-mode coronal EUV wave fronts, which propagate with a speed of $\sim$600 km s$^{-1}$. By comparing the Moreton wave fronts with photospheric features, we found that they preferentially appear along photospheric supergranule boundaries characterized by 1600 \AA\ bright ridges, concentrated magnetic fields, and convective downflows. It is shown that the H$\alpha$ line profiles at the Moreton wave fronts are systematically redshifted. Gaussian fit yields a systematic downward Doppler velocity of 1.73 km s$^{-1}$. Using the bisector method, we further derived height-dependent Doppler velocities in the chromosphere. While there is an expected tendency for the downward velocity to decrease from 4.12 km s$^{-1}$ in the upper chromosphere to 1.60 km s$^{-1}$ in the lower chromosphere, it is intriguing to see an unexpected velocity enhancement in the lower chromosphere. We conjecture that coronal fast-mode MHD waves experience mode-conversion to slow-mode waves, which propagate along magnetic field lines of the magnetic canopy, forming preferential appearance of Moreton waves at magnetic networks, where the convective downflow contributes to the velocity enhancement in the lower chromosphere.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Anomalously Strong Localized First Ionization Potential Effect Associated with a Solar Subflare

Plasma composition in the solar corona commonly differs from that of the photosphere, with the enhancement of low--first-ionization-potential (FIP) elements referred to as the FIP effect. This phenomenon provides important diagnostics of energy and mass transport between different layers of the solar atmosphere. In this work, we analyze an anomalously strong, localized FIP effect observed in active region 13486 associated with a subflaring episode on 2023 November 17, using multiwavelength observations combining high energy-resolution soft X-ray disk-integrated spectra obtained by the Macao Science Satellite-1B with spatially resolved EUV/UV and H$\alpha$ imaging from Hinode/EIS, SDO/AIA and HMI, and CHASE/HIS. By investigating the temporal evolution of plasma composition in response to changes in magnetic field orientation, we provide new insight into the physical processes linking magnetic reconnection, ponderomotive force fractionation, and coronal abundance anomalies. This work reveals that the anomalously strong enhancement of low-FIP elements is localized in regions with strongly inclined magnetic fields despite a subflare. We interpret these observations within the framework of the ponderomotive force fractionation model and propose that the inclined magnetic geometry enhances the transmission of upward-propagating magnetohydrodynamic waves by reducing reflection near the plasma-$\beta$$\simeq$1 layer, enhancing FIP fractionation associated with a consequential upward-directed ponderomotive force. In addition, sustained chromospheric heating associated with chromospheric reconnection and flux cancellation appears to maintain the enhanced FIP effect for tens of minutes following the event.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

On the Constraints and Observational Manifestations of Failed Solar Eruptions in Toroidal Magnetic Cage

Observations show that many solar eruptions remain confined within strong overlying magnetic fields, forming a so-called magnetic cage. While confinement by poloidal overlying fields has been widely investigated, the role of strong external toroidal fields remains unclear. Using three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we study confined eruptions in a toroidal magnetic cage, focusing on the interplay between the Lorentz force and magnetic reconnection, and their observational signatures. We further employ a guiding-center test-particle approach to synthesize hard X-ray emission for comparison between thermal and nonthermal responses. We find that overlying toroidal fields play a crucial role in confinement by generating strong return currents that produce a significant downward Lorentz force, suppressing flux rope ascent. At the same time, they induce large-angle rotation of the flux rope, leading to reconnection with overlying fields and eventual break-up. Synthetic EUV emission reveals multi-ribbon flares with highly sheared, globally cowboy-hat-like loop structures. Hard X-ray diagnostics show that thermal and nonthermal emissions are not co-spatial, with return currents acting as an efficient accelerator of energetic electrons. These results demonstrate that toroidal-field-induced forces govern both the confinement and rotation of erupting flux ropes, providing an explanation for failed eruptions even under torus-unstable conditions. These results suggest that the morphology and shearing angle of flare loops are the useful diagnostics for distinguishing confined from eruptive events.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Data-driven Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation of the Initiation of a Coronal Mass Ejection with Multiple Stages

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the primary drivers of adverse space-weather events, yet their initiation and onset prediction remain insufficiently understood due to the complexity of the magnetic topology and physical processes in real solar source regions. Here, based on fully observational-data-driven magnetohydrodynamic simulation, we successfully reproduce the initiation of a CME originating from the super active region AR 13663, with only a one-minute time lag between the flare peak in observations and the velocity peak of the rising flux rope in the simulation. Moreover, the eruptive structure exhibits a multi-stage kinematic evolution: an initial slow acceleration, a plateau at a nearly stationary height, and a subsequent impulsive acceleration. These stages correspond to torus instability, the downward tension force exerted by the overlying toroidal field, and fast magnetic reconnection, respectively. Our results highlight the inherently multistage nature of CME initiation in real events. In configurations with strong overlying toroidal fields, the downward toroidal-field-induced tension force can suppress the rise of the flux rope and produce a plateau phase at a nearly stable height, even when torus instability occurs. In contrast, the subsequent fast magnetic reconnection beneath the flux rope can drive the impulsive eruption more effectively. The close agreement between the observed and simulated peak times over one minute demonstrates the strong potential of our data-driven model for predicting CME onset.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Solar Filament Physiognomy: Inferring Magnetic Quantities from Imaging Observations

Magnetic field is the key physical quantity in solar physics as it controls all kinds of solar activity, ranging from nanoflares to big flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). However, so far only the magnetic field on the solar surface can be more or less precisely measured, and the most important coronal magnetic field remains undetectable accurately. Without the knowledge of the coronal magnetic field, it is even more difficult to obtain secondary quantities related to magnetic field, such as the magnetic helicity and magnetic configuration, including the curvature of field lines. The prevailing approaches to obtain the coronal magnetic field include coronal magnetic extrapolation and coronal seismology. Actually there were scattered efforts to derive secondary magnetic quantities based on imaging observations of solar filaments, without the help of polarization measurements. We call this approach solar filament physiognomy. In this paper, we review these efforts made in the past decades, and point out that this approach will be promising as large telescopes are being built and more fine structures of filament channels will be revealed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

A unified model of solar prominence formation with self-consistent heating

Several models have been proposed to explain the formation of solar prominences, among which the evaporation--condensation model and the direct injection model are the most popular ones. In our previous study we proposed to unify these two models, namely, both are due to localized heating in the chromosphere, presumably via magnetic reconnection. When the localized heating is located in the upper chromosphere, the cold in-situ plasmas are heated to coronal temperatures, then evaporated to the corona, and finally condensate to form a prominence. Such a process is manifested as the evaporation-condensation model. When the localized heating is located in the lower chromosphere, the enhanced in-situ pressure would push the cold plasmas in the upper chromosphere to the corona directly, which is manifested as the direct injection model. While the idea was confirmed by the one-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations, the heating was imposed ad hoc. In order to simulate the localized heating more self-consistently, we perform two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations in this paper, where the localized heating is naturally realized by magnetic reconnection at different heights. The simulations further validate our model. Besides, mass circulation in the solar atmosphere is also briefly discussed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Dependence of the intensity of the nonwave component of EUV waves on coronal magnetic field configuration

Context. Mounting evidence has shown that EUV waves consist of a fast-mode magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wave (or shock wave) followed by a slower nonwave component, as predicted by the magnetic fieldline stretching model. However, not all observed events display both wavefronts, particularly the slower nonwave component. Even in case that the slower nonwave component is present, the intensity distribution often exhibits strong anisotropy. Aims. This study is intended to unveil the formation condition of the slower nonwave component of EUV waves. Methods. We analyzed the EUV wave event on 8 March 2019, and compared the EUV wave intensity map with the extrapolation coronal potential magnetic field. Data-inspired MHD simulation was also performed. Results. Two types of EUV waves are identified, and the slower nonwave component exhibits strong anisotropy. By reconstructing 3D coronal magnetic fields, we found that the slower nonwave component of EUV waves is more pronounced in the regions where magnetic fields are backward-inclined, which is further reproduced by our MHD simulations. Conclusions. The anisotropy of the slower nonwave component of EUV waves is strongly related to the magnetic configuration, with backward-inclined field lines favoring their appearance. The more the field lines are forward-inclined, the weaker such wavelike fronts are.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Possible quantum spin liquid state of CeTa$_7$O$_{19}$

CeTa$_7$O$_{19}$ is a recently found two-dimensional triangular lattice antiferromagnet without showing magnetic order. We grew high-quality CeTa$_7$O$_{19}$ single crystals and studied the low-temperature magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and thermal conductivity. The dc magnetic susceptibility and magnetization reveal its nature of effective spin-1/2, easy axis anisotropy, and antiferromagnetic spin coupling. The ultralow-temperature ac susceptibility and specific heat data indicate the absence of any phase transition down to 20 mK. The ultralow-temperature thermal conductivity ($κ$) at zero magnetic field exhibits a non-zero residual term $κ_0/T =$ 0.0056 W/K$^2$m. Although the magnetic field dependence of $κ$ is rather weak, the 14 T thermal conductivity shows an essential zero residual term. All these results point to a possible ground state of quantum spin liquid.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

The Birth of a Major Coronal Mass Ejection with Intricate Magnetic Structure from Multiple Active Regions

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the eruptions of magnetised plasma from the Sun and are considered the main driver of adverse space weather events. Hence, undrstanding its formation process, particularly the magnetic topology, is critical for accurate space weather prediction. Here, based on imaging observations and three-dimensional (3D) data-constrained thermodynamic magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulation in spherical coordinates, we exhibit the birth of a CME with intricate magnetic structure from multiple active regions (ARs) due to 3D magnetic reconnection. It is observed as a coronal jet between active regions, accompanied by the back-flowing of filament materials along the jet spine after the passage of the eruptive filament. This jet connects two dimming regions within different active regions. This is an observational proxy of 3D magnetic reconnection between the CME flux rope and the null-point magnetic field lines crossing active regions. Hereafter, the thermodynamic data-constrained MHD simulation successfully reproduces the observed jet and the reconnection process that flux ropes partake in, leading to a CME flux rope with a complex magnetic structure distinct from its progenitor. The generality of this scenario is then validated by data-inspired MHD simulations in a simple multipolar magnetic configuration. This work demonstrates the role of multiple active regions in forming CMEs with intricate magnetic structures. On the one hand, a non-coherent flux rope where not all twisted magnetic field lines wind around one common axis is naturally formed. On the other hand, our findings suggest that the topology of a real CME flux rope may not be solely determined by a single active region, particularly during periods of solar maximum.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Simultaneous existence of the ocsillations, counterstreaming flows and mass injections in solar quiescent prominences

Solar prominences are very spectacular structures embedded in the tenuous and hot solar corona. The counterstreaming flows, a common feature in solar quiescent prominences, have been discovered for more than twenty years. However, the mechanism driving the counterstreaming flows is still elusive. To unveil the nature of this phenomenon, we analyzed the data of a quiescent prominence observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST), the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), and the Solar Dynamical Observatory (SDO). It is found that there is a distinct longitudinal oscillation of prominence plasma along the higher part of the prominence spine in H$α$ observations. The oscillation period is approximately 83 minutes and the amplitude is about 32 Mm. The counterstreaming flows are dominant in the middle part of the prominence spine. The velocities of the counterstreaming flows range from about 4 km s$^{-1}$ to 11 km s$^{-1}$. Moreover, the intermittent mass flows with the upward plumes from the top of the bubbles and tornado-like barbs are observed to be injected into the lower part of the prominence spine from the lower atmosphere. The velocities of these injected mass flows range from about 3 km s$^{-1}$ to 30 km s$^{-1}$. Some injected mass flows exhibit redshifted Doppler signals, while others exhibit blueshifted signals. Based on these high resolution observations, it is found that different parts of the prominence spine exhibit the different dynamic characteristics. These results further advance the understanding of the ubiquitous counterstreaming flows in solar quiescent prominences.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

The magnetic origin of the mystery of rare H$α$ Moreton waves

Over the past three decades, a lot of coronal fast-mode waves were detected by space missions, but their counterparts in the chromosphere, called the Moreton waves, were rarely captured. How this happens remains a mystery. Here, to shed light on this problem, we investigate the photospheric vector magnetograms of the Moreton wave events associated with M- and X-class solar flares in 2010--2023. The H$α$ data are taken with the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) and the Chinese H$α$ Solar Explorer (CHASE). Our statistical results show that more than 80\% of the events occur at the edge of active regions and propagate non-radially due to asymmetric magnetic fields above the flares. According to the reconstructed magnetic field and atmospheric model, Moreton waves propagate in the direction along which the horizontal fast-mode wave speed drops the fastest. The result supports that the inclined magnetic configuration of the eruption is crucial to generate Moreton waves, even for X-class flares. It may explain the low occurrence rate of Moreton waves and why some X-class flares accompanied with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) do not generate Moreton waves.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

How coronal mass ejections are influenced by the morphology and toroidal flux of their source magnetic flux ropes?

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) stand as intense eruptions of magnetized plasma from the Sun, playing a pivotal role in driving significant changes of the heliospheric environment. Deducing the properties of CMEs from their progenitors in solar source regions is crucial for space weather forecasting. Deducing the properties of CMEs from their progenitors in solar source regions is crucial for space weather forecasting. The primary objective of this paper is to establish a connection between CMEs and their progenitors in solar source regions, enabling us to infer the magnetic structures of CMEs before their full development. To this end, we create a dataset comprising a magnetic flux rope series with varying projection shapes, sizes and toroidal fluxes, using the Regularized Biot-Savart Laws (RBSL). Thereafter, we simulate the propagation of these flux ropes from the solar surface to a distance of 25$R_{\odot}$ with our global coronal MHD model which is named COCONUT. Our parametric survey reveals significant impacts of source flux ropes on the consequent CMEs. We find that the projection shape can influence the magnetic structures of CMEs at 20$R_{\odot}$, albeit with minimal impacts on the propagation speed. However, these impacts diminish as source flux ropes become fat. In terms of toroidal flux, our simulation results demonstrate a pronounced correlation with the propagation speed of CMEs, as well as the successfulness in erupting. This work builds the bridge between the CMEs in the outer corona and their progenitors in solar source regions. Our parametric survey suggests that the projection shape, cross-section radius and toroidal flux of source flux ropes are crucial parameters in predicting magnetic structures and propagation speed of CMEs, providing valuable insights for space weather prediction.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Direct evidence of hybrid nature of EUV waves and the reflection of the fast-mode wave

We performed an analysis of the extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) wave event on 2022 March 31. The event originated from active region (AR) 12975 located at N13W52 in the field of view of the Atmospheric imaging Assembly (AIA) and exactly at the west limb viewed by the EUV Imager (EUVI) of the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory-Ahead (STEREO-A) satellite. The EUV wave was associated with an M9.6 class flare. The event was also well observed by MLSO and COR1 coronagraphs. We revealed here evident coexistence of two components of EUV waves in AIA as well as in EUVI images i.e., a fast-mode wave and a nonwave, which was predicted by the EUV wave hybrid model. The speeds of the fast-mode and non wave EUV wave components in AIA varies from ~430 to 658 km/s and ~157 to 205 km/s, respectively. The computed speeds in STEREO-A for the fast-mode wave and nonwave components are ~520 and ~152 km/s, respectively. Another wave emanated from the source AR and interacted with ambient coronal loops, showing evident reflection in the EUV images above the solar limb. The speed of the reflected wave in the plane of the sky is ~175 km/s. With the precise alignments, we found that the fast-mode EUV wave is just ahead of the coronal mass ejection (CME) and the nonwave component is cospatial with the frontal loop of the accompanied CME. The event also showed stationary fronts.

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