arXiv subjects

V. Archontis

Publications and source records attributed to V. Archontis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Recurrent eruptions from the emergence of a toroidal flux tube

Solar eruptive behavior is often modeled with magnetohydrodynamic simulations of magnetic flux emergence. The usual geometry considered is that of a horizontal cylindrical magnetic flux tube. An alternative is the toroidal tube geometry which has some advantages over the cylindrical one, namely, that the emerging bipolar pair of sunspots do not drift apart indefinitely. In addition to the toroidal tube, we include an oblique, ambient field in the simulation, which leads to the production of increased activity from the interaction of ambient and emerging fields. Letting the simulation run for a long time reveals that six eruptive jets take place after an initial reconnection jet. In an attempt to better understand the eruptive activity we examine the evolution of free energy and relative helicity of the coronal volume, as well as, the magnetic tension forces acting on the magnetic system. We find that all quantities decrease in magnitude during the eruptive jets and rebuild afterwards. This recurrent activity continues even after flux emergence ceases and stops once the examined quantities saturate to nearly constant values.

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arXiv2024

Magnetic flux emergence and solar eruptions in partially ionized plasmas

We have performed 3D MHD simulations to study the effect of partial ionization in the process of magnetic flux emergence in the Sun. In fact, we continue previous work and we now focus: 1) on the emergence of the magnetic fields above the solar photosphere and 2) on the eruptive activity, which follows the emergence into the corona. We find that in the simulations with partial ionization (PI), the structure of the emerging field consists of arch-like fieldlines with very little twist since the axis of the initial rising field remains below the photosphere. The plasma inside the emerging volume is less dense and it is moving faster compared to the fully ionized (FI) simulation. In both cases, new flux ropes (FR) are formed due to reconnection between emerging fieldlines, and they eventually erupt in an ejective manner towards the outer solar atmosphere. We are witnessing three major eruptions in both simulations. At least for the first eruption, the formation of the eruptive FR occurs in the low atmosphere in the FI case and at coronal heights in the PI case. Also, in the first PI eruption, part of the eruptive FR carries neutrals in the high atmosphere, for a short period of time. Overall, the eruptions are relatively faster in the PI case, while a considerable amount of axial flux is found above the photosphere during the eruptions in both simulations.

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arXiv2024

Magnetic helicity and energy budgets of jet events from an emerging solar active region

Using photospheric vector magnetograms obtained by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory and a magnetic connectivity-based method, we compute the magnetic helicity and free magnetic energy budgets of a simple bipolar solar active region (AR) during its magnetic flux emergence phase which lasted $\sim$47 hrs. The AR did not produce any coronal mass ejections (CMEs) or flares with an X-ray class above C1.0 but it was the site of 60 jet events during its flux emergence phase. The helicity and free energy budgets of the AR were below established eruption-related thresholds throughout the interval we studied. However, in addition to their slowly-varying evolution, each of the time profiles of the helicity and free energy budgets showed discrete localized peaks, with eight pairs of them occurring at times of jets emanating from the AR. These jets featured larger base areas and longer durations than the other jets of the AR. We estimated, for the first time, the helicity and free magnetic energy changes associated with these eight jets which were in the ranges of $0.5-7.1 \times 10^{40}$ Mx$^2$ and $1.1-6.9 \times 10^{29}$ erg, respectively. Although these values are one to two orders of magnitude smaller than those usually associated with CMEs, the relevant percentage changes were significant and ranged from 13% to 76% for the normalized helicity and from 9% to 57% for the normalized free magnetic energy. Our study indicates that occasionally jets may have a significant imprint in the evolution of helicity and free magnetic energy budgets of emerging active regions.

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arXiv2024

Energy and helicity evolution in a flux emergence simulation

Aims. The main aim of this work is to study the evolution of the recently introduced relative helicity of the magnetic polarity inversion line (PIL) in a magnetohydrodynamics simulation. Methods. The simulation used is a typical flux emergence simulation in which there is additionally an oblique, pre-existing magnetic field. The interaction of the emerging and ambient fields produces intense coronal activity, with four jets standing out. The 3D magnetic field allows us to compute various energies and helicities, and to study their evolution during the simulation, especially around the identified jets. We examine the evolution of all quantities in three different regions: in the whole volume, in three separate subvolumes of the whole volume, and in a 2D region around the PIL on the photosphere. Results. We find that the helicities are in general more responsive to the jets, followed by the free energy. The eruptivity index, the ratio of the current-carrying helicity to the relative helicity, does not show the typical behaviour it has in other cases, as its variations do not follow the production of the jets. By considering the subvolumes we find that the magnetic field gets more potential and less helical with height. The PIL relative helicity confirms the recent results it showed in observed active regions, exhibiting stronger variations during the jets compared to the standard relative helicity. Moreover, the current-carrying helicity around the PIL has a similar behaviour to the PIL relative helicity, and so this quantity could be equally useful in solar eruptivity studies.

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arXiv2023

Effects of partial ionization on magnetic flux emergence in the Sun

We have performed 3-D numerical simulations to investigate the effect of partial ionization on the process of magnetic flux emergence. In our study, we have modified the single-fluid MHD equations to include the presence of neutrals and have performed two basic experiments: one that assumes a fully ionized plasma (FI case) and one that assumes a partially ionized plasma (PI case). We find that the PI case brings less dense plasma to and above the solar surface. Furthermore, we find that partial ionization alters the emerging magnetic field structure, leading to a different shape of the polarities in the emerged bipolar regions compared to the FI case. The amount of emerging flux into the solar atmosphere is larger in the PI case, which has the same initial plasma beta as the FI case, but a larger initial magnetic field strength. The expansion of the field above the photosphere occurs relatively earlier in the PI case, and we confirm that the inclusion of partial ionization reduces cooling due to adiabatic expansion. However, it does not appear to work as a heating mechanism for the atmospheric plasma. The performance of these experiments in three dimensions shows that PI does not prevent the formation of unstable magnetic structures, which erupt into the outer solar atmosphere.

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arXiv2020

Decoding the Pre-Eruptive Magnetic Field Configurations of Coronal Mass Ejections

A clear understanding of the nature of the pre-eruptive magnetic field configurations of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) is required for understanding and eventually predicting solar eruptions. Only two, but seemingly disparate, magnetic configurations are considered viable; namely, sheared magnetic arcades (SMA) and magnetic flux ropes (MFR). They can form via three physical mechanisms (flux emergence, flux cancellation, helicity condensation) . Whether the CME culprit is an SMA or an MFR, however, has been strongly debated for thirty years. We formed an International Space Science Institute (ISSI) team to address and resolve this issue and report the outcome here. We review the status of the field across modeling and observations, identify the open and closed issues, compile lists of SMA and MFR observables to be tested against observations and outline research activities to close the gaps in our current understanding. We propose that the combination of multi-viewpoint multi-thermal coronal observations and multi-height vector magnetic field measurements is the optimal approach for resolving the issue conclusively. We demonstrate the approach using MHD simulations and synthetic coronal images. Our key conclusion is that the differentiation of pre-eruptive configurations in terms of SMAs and MFRs seems artificial. Both observations and modeling can be made consistent if the pre-eruptive configuration exists in a hybrid state that is continuously evolving from an SMA to an MFR. Thus, the 'dominant' nature of a given configuration will largely depend on its evolutionary stage (SMA-like early-on, MFR-like near the eruption).

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arXiv2019

Eruptions and Flaring Activity in Emerging Quadrupolar Regions

Context. Some of the most dynamic active regions are associated with complex photospheric magnetic configurations such as quadrupolar regions, and especially ones with a $δ$-spot configuration and a strong Polarity Inversion Line (PIL). Aims. We study the formation and eruption of magnetic flux ropes in quadrupolar regions. Methods. 3D MHD simulations of the partial emergence of a highly twisted flux tube from the solar interior into a non-magnetized stratified atmosphere. Results. We emerge two $Ω$-shaped loops forming a quadrupolar region. The emerging flux forms two initially separated bipoles, that later come in contact creating a $δ$-spot central region. Above the two bipoles, two magnetic lobes expand and interact through a series of current sheets at the interface between them. Two recurrent confined eruptions are produced. In both cases, reconnection between sheared low-lying field lines forms a flux rope. Reconnection between the two lobes high in the atmosphere forms retracting field lines that push against the flux rope, creating a current sheet between them. It also forms a third magnetic lobe between the two emerged ones, that later acts as a strapping field. The flux rope eruptions are triggered when the reconnection between the flux ropes and the field above them becomes efficient enough to remove the tension of the overlying field. These reconnection events occur internally in the system. The first erupting flux rope almost fully reconnects with the overlying field. The second eruption is confined by the overlying field. During the confined eruption, the flux rope is enhanced in size, flux and twist, similar to confined-flare-to-flux-rope observations. Proxies of the emission reveal the two erupting filaments channels. A flare arcade is formed only in the second eruption due to the longer-lasting and more efficient reconnection below the flux rope.

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arXiv2019

Ellerman bombs and UV bursts: transient events in chromospheric current sheets

Ellerman bombs (EBs) and UV bursts are both brightenings related to flux emergence regions and specifically to magnetic flux of opposite polarity that meet in the photosphere. These two reconnection-related phenomena, nominally formed far apart, occasionally occur in the same location and at the same time, thus challenging our understanding of reconnection and heating of the lower solar atmosphere. We consider the formation of an active region, including long fibrils and hot and dense coronal plasma. The emergence of a untwisted magnetic flux sheet, injected $2.5$~Mm below the photosphere, is studied as it pierces the photosphere and interacts with the preexisting ambient field. Specifically, we aim to study whether EBs and UV bursts are generated as a result of such flux emergence and examine their physical relationship. The Bifrost radiative magnetohydrodynamics code was used to model flux emerging into a model atmosphere that contained a fairly strong ambient field, constraining the emerging field to a limited volume wherein multiple reconnection events occur as the field breaks through the photosphere and expands into the outer atmosphere. Synthetic spectra of the different reconnection events were computed using the $1.5$D RH code and the fully 3D MULTI3D code. The formation of UV bursts and EBs at intensities and with line profiles that are highly reminiscent of observed spectra are understood to be a result of the reconnection of emerging flux with itself in a long-lasting current sheet that extends over several scale heights through the chromosphere. Synthetic diagnostics suggest that there are no compelling reasons to assume that UV bursts occur in the photosphere. Instead, EBs and UV bursts are occasionally formed at opposite ends of a long current sheet that resides in an extended bubble of cool gas.

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arXiv2019

The emergence of magnetic flux and its role on the onset of solar dynamic events

A plethora of solar dynamic events, such as the formation of active regions, the emission of jets and the occurrence of eruptions is often associated to the emergence of magnetic flux from the interior of the Sun to the surface and above. Here, we present a short review on the onset, driving and/or triggering of such events by magnetic flux emergence. We briefly describe some key observational examples, theoretical aspects and numerical simulations, towards revealing the mechanisms that govern solar dynamics and activity related to flux emergence. We show that the combination of important physical processes like shearing and reconnection of magnetic fieldlines in emerging flux regions or at their vicinity, can power some of the most dynamic phenomena in the Sun on various temporal and spatial scales. Based on previous and recent observational and numerical studies, we highlight that, in most cases, none of these processes alone can drive and also trigger explosive phenomena releasing considerable amount of energy towards the outer solar atmosphere and space, such as flares, jets and large-scale eruptions (e.g. CMEs). In addition, one has to take into account the physical properties of the emerging field (e.g. strength, amount of flux, relative orientation to neighbouring and pre-existing magnetic fields, etc.) in order to better understand the exact role of magnetic flux emergence on the onset of solar dynamic events.

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arXiv2019

Recurrent CME-like Eruptions in Emerging Flux Regions. II. Scaling of Energy and Collision of Successive Eruptions

We present results of three-dimensional MHD simulations of recurrent eruptions in emerging flux regions. The initial numerical setup is the same with the work by Syntelis et al. 2017 (hereafter, Paper I). Here, we perform a parametric study on the magnetic field strength ($B_0$) of the emerging field. The kinetic energy of the produced ejective eruptions in the emerging flux region ranges from $10^{26}-10^{28}$ erg, reaching up to the energies of small Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). The kinetic and magnetic energies of the eruptions scale linearly in a logarithmic plot. We find that the eruptions are triggered earlier for higher $B_0$ and that $B_0$ is not directly correlated to the frequency of occurrence of the eruptions. Using large numerical domains, we show the initial stage of the partial merging of two colliding erupting fields. The partial merging occurs partly by the reconnection between the field lines of the following and the leading eruption at the interface between them. We also find that tether-cutting reconnection of the field lines of the leading eruption underneath the following eruption magnetically links the two eruptions. Shocks develop inside the leading eruption during the collision.

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arXiv2019

Successful and Failed Flux Tube Emergence in the Solar Interior

We report on our three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of cylindrical weakly twisted flux tubes emerging from 18 Mm below the photosphere. We perform a parametric study, by varying the initial magnetic field strength ($B_0$), radius ($R$), twist ($α)$ and length of the emerging part of the flux tube ($λ$) to investigate how these parameters affect the transfer of the magnetic field from the convection zone to the photosphere. We show that the efficiency of emergence at the photosphere (i.e. how strong the photospheric field will be in comparison to $B_0$) depends not only on the $B_0$ but also the morphology of the emerging field and the twist. We show that parameters such as $B_0$ and magnetic flux cannot alone determine whether a flux tube will emerge to the solar surface. For instance, high-$B_0$ (weak-$B_0$) fields may fail (succeed) to emerge at the photosphere, depending on their geometrical properties. We also show that the photospheric magnetic field strength can vary greatly for flux tubes with the same $B_0$ but different geometric properties. Moreover, in some cases we have found scaling laws, whereby the magnetic field strength scales with the local density as $B\propto ρ^κ$, where $κ\approx 1$ deeper in the convection zone and $κ<1$, close to the photosphere. The transition between the two values occurs approximately when the local pressure scale ($H_p$) becomes comparable to the diameter of the flux tube ($H_p\approx2R$). We derive forms to explain how and when these scaling laws appear and compare them with the numerical simulations.

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arXiv2017

Recurrent CME-like eruptions in emerging flux regions. I. On the mechanism of eruptions

We report on three-dimensional (3D) Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of recurrent eruptions in emerging flux regions. We find that reconnection of sheared fieldlines, along the polarity inversion line of an emerging bipolar region, leads to the formation of a new magnetic structure, which adopts the shape of a magnetic flux rope during its rising motion. Initially, the flux rope undergoes a slow-rise phase and, eventually, it experiences a fast-rise phase and ejective eruption towards the outer solar atmosphere. In total, four eruptions occur during the evolution of the system. For the first eruption, our analysis indicates that the torus instability initiates the eruption and that tether-cutting reconnection of the fieldlines, which envelope the flux rope, triggers the rapid acceleration of the eruptive field. For the following eruptions, we conjecture that it is the interplay between tether-cutting reconnection and torus instability, which causes the onset of the various phases. We show the 3D shape of the erupting fields, focusing more on how magnetic fieldlines reconnect during the eruptions. We find that when the envelope fieldlines reconnect mainly with themselves, hot and dense plasma is transferred closer to the core of the erupting flux rope. The same area appears to be cooler and less dense when the envelope fieldlines reconnect with neighboring sheared fieldlines. The plasma density and temperature distribution, together with the rising speeds, the energies and the size of the erupting fields indicate that they may account for small-scale (mini) Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).

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arXiv2016

Solar Coronal Jets: Observations, Theory, and Modeling

Coronal jets represent important manifestations of ubiquitous solar transients, which may be the source of significant mass and energy input to the upper solar atmosphere and the solar wind. While the energy involved in a jet-like event is smaller than that of "nominal" solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), jets share many common properties with these phenomena, in particular, the explosive magnetically driven dynamics. Studies of jets could, therefore, provide critical insight for understanding the larger, more complex drivers of the solar activity. On the other side of the size-spectrum, the study of jets could also supply important clues on the physics of transients close or at the limit of the current spatial resolution such as spicules. Furthermore, jet phenomena may hint to basic process for heating the corona and accelerating the solar wind; consequently their study gives us the opportunity to attack a broad range of solar-heliospheric problems.

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arXiv2015

Sunspot rotation. I. A consequence of flux emergence

Context. Solar eruptions and high flare activity often accompany the rapid rotation of sunspots. The study of sunspot rotation and the mechanisms driving this motion are therefore key to our understanding of how the solar atmosphere attains the conditions necessary for large energy release. Aims. We aim to demonstrate and investigate the rotation of sunspots in a 3D numerical experiment of the emergence of a magnetic flux tube as it rises through the solar interior and emerges into the atmosphere. Furthermore, we seek to show that the sub-photospheric twist stored in the interior is injected into the solar atmosphere by means of a definitive rotation of the sunspots. Methods. A numerical experiment is performed to solve the 3D resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations using a Lagrangian-Remap code. We track the emergence of a toroidal flux tube as it rises through the solar interior and emerges into the atmosphere investigating various quantities related to both the magnetic field and plasma. Results. Through detailed analysis of the numerical experiment, we find clear evidence that the photospheric footprints or sunspots of the flux tube undergo a rotation. Significant vertical vortical motions are found to develop within the two polarity sources after the field emerges. These rotational motions are found to leave the interior portion of the field untwisted and twist up the atmospheric portion of the field. This is shown by our analysis of the relative magnetic helicity as a significant portion of the interior helicity is transported to the atmosphere. In addition, there is a substantial transport of magnetic energy to the atmosphere. Rotation angles are also calculated by tracing selected fieldlines; the fieldlines threading through the sunspot are found to rotate through angles of up to 353 degrees over the course of the experiment.

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arXiv2014

Helical Blowout Jets in the Sun: Untwisting and Propagation of Waves

We report on numerical experiment of the recurrent onset of helical "blowout" jets in an emerging flux region (EFR). We find that these jets are running with velocities of $\sim 100-250\,\mathrm{kms^{-1}}$ and they transfer a vast amount of heavy plasma into the outer solar atmosphere. During their emission, they undergo an untwisting motion as a result of reconnection between the twisted emerging and the non-twisted pre-existing magnetic field in the solar atmosphere. For the first time in the context of blowout jets, we provide a direct evidence that their untwisting motion is associated with the propagation of torsional Alfvén waves in the corona.

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arXiv2014

Validation of the magnetic energy vs. helicity scaling in solar magnetic structures

We assess the validity of the free magnetic energy - relative magnetic helicity diagram for solar magnetic structures. We used two different methods of calculating the free magnetic energy and the relative magnetic helicity budgets: a classical, volume-calculation nonlinear force-free (NLFF) method applied to finite coronal magnetic structures and a surface-calculation NLFF derivation that relies on a single photospheric or chromospheric vector magnetogram. Both methods were applied to two different data sets, namely synthetic active-region cases obtained by three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) simulations and observed active-region cases, which include both eruptive and noneruptive magnetic structures. The derived energy--helicity diagram shows a consistent monotonic scaling between relative helicity and free energy with a scaling index 0.84$\pm$0.05 for both data sets and calculation methods. It also confirms the segregation between noneruptive and eruptive active regions and the existence of thresholds in both free energy and relative helicity for active regions to enter eruptive territory. We consider the previously reported energy-helicity diagram of solar magnetic structures as adequately validated and envision a significant role of the uncovered scaling in future studies of solar magnetism.

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arXiv2014

Validation and Benchmarking of a Practical Free Magnetic Energy and Relative Magnetic Helicity Budget Calculation in Solar Magnetic Structures

In earlier works we introduced and tested a nonlinear force-free (NLFF) method designed to self-consistently calculate the free magnetic energy and the relative magnetic helicity budgets of the corona of observed solar magnetic structures. The method requires, in principle, only a single, photospheric or low-chromospheric, vector magnetogram of a quiet-Sun patch or an active region and performs calculations in the absence of three-dimensional magnetic and velocity-field information. In this work we strictly validate this method using three-dimensional coronal magnetic fields. Benchmarking employs both synthetic, three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations and nonlinear force-free field extrapolations of the active-region solar corona. We find that our time-efficient NLFF method provides budgets that differ from those of more demanding semi-analytical methods by a factor of ~3, at most. This difference is expected from the physical concept and the construction of the method. Temporal correlations show more discrepancies that, however, are soundly improved for more complex, massive active regions, reaching correlation coefficients of the order of, or exceeding, 0.9. In conclusion, we argue that our NLFF method can be reliably used for a routine and fast calculation of free magnetic energy and relative magnetic helicity budgets in targeted parts of the solar magnetized corona. As explained here and in previous works, this is an asset that can lead to valuable insight into the physics and the triggering of solar eruptions.

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arXiv2014

Recurrent explosive eruptions and the sigmoid-to-arcade transformation in the sun driven by dynamical magnetic flux emergence

We report on three-dimensional (3D) MHD simulations of recurrent mini CME-like eruptions in a small active region (AR), which is formed by the dynamical emergence of a twisted (not kink unstable) flux tube from the solar interior. The eruptions are developed as a result of repeated formation and expulsion of new flux ropes due to continous emergence and reconnection of sheared fieldlines along the polarity inversion line (PIL) of the AR. The acceleration of the eruptions is triggered by tether-cutting reconnection at the current sheet underneath the erupting field. We find that each explosive eruption is followed by reformation of a sigmoidal structure and a subsequent sigmoid-to-flare arcade transformation in the AR. These results might have implications for recurrent CMEs and eruptive sigmoids/flares observations and theoretical studies.

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