On ionization equilibrium in solar flares as determined from X-ray emissionlines of CA XVIII and CA XIX
Abstract
A diagnostic capable of determining the state of ionization equilibrium in flare plasmas is important for the determination of the physical conditions in flares. An experiment on the Air Force satellite P78-1 has provided high-resolution X-ray spectra which make it possible to determine the state of the ionization equilibrium in coronal flare plasmas. The considered investigation has the objective to show that the interpretation of the calcium results is complicated by several possible blends to line q, and to point out a variation in the observed ratios which seems difficult to account for. Possible explanations for the observations are discussed, taking into account the possibility that the ionization equilibrium calculations have to be improved. Another possible explanation is related to a suggestion made by Urnov (1981) and Karev et al. (1980) concerning the effects produced by the presence of high-energy nonthermal electrons.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1086/159522
- Bibcode:
- 1981ApJ...251..792D
- Keywords:
-
- Electron Energy;
- Electron Transitions;
- Ionization;
- Solar Flares;
- Solar Spectra;
- X Ray Spectra;
- Atomic Excitations;
- Electron Density (Concentration);
- High Resolution;
- Satellite Observation;
- Solar Corona;
- Spectrum Analysis;
- Solar Physics