Empirical correction of RHESSI spectra for photospheric albedo and its effect on inferred electron spectra
Abstract
Photospheric Compton backscatter (albedo) makes a significant contribution to observed hard X-ray (HXR) spectral fluxes over the RHESSI energy range and should be allowed for in spatially integrated HXR spectral interpretation. The high HXR spectral resolution of RHESSI creates the chance for precise study of source electron spectra provided the observed spectra are well corrected for non-primary effects at the sun including albedo, directivity, source ionisation variations and the like. However the full correction problem is nonlinear and messy but we offer a simple approximate first order correction procedure for global HXR spectra based upon empirical fits to published albedo simulations. We also illustrate the impact of this correction on inferred electron spectra for the thin and thick target models with the Kramers cross-section.
- Publication:
-
Solar Variability: From Core to Outer Frontiers
- Pub Date:
- December 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002ESASP.506..271A
- Keywords:
-
- Albedo;
- Electron;
- Hard X-ray;
- Flare