Chromospheric magnetic field and density structure measurements using hard X-rays in a flaring coronal loop
Abstract
Aims: A novel method of using hard X-rays as a diagnostic for chromospheric density and magnetic structures is developed to infer sub-arcsecond vertical variation of magnetic flux tube size and neutral gas density.
Methods: Using Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) X-ray data and the newly developed X-ray visibilities forward fitting technique we find the FWHM and centroid positions of hard X-ray sources with sub-arcsecond resolution (~0.2'') for a solar limb flare. We show that the height variations of the chromospheric density and the magnetic flux densities can be found with an unprecedented vertical resolution of ~150 km by mapping 18-250 keV X-ray emission of energetic electrons propagating in the loop at chromospheric heights of 400-1500 km.
Results: Our observations suggest that the density of the neutral gas is in good agreement with hydrostatic models with a scale height of around 140 ± 30 km. FWHM sizes of the X-ray sources decrease with energy suggesting the expansion (fanning out) of magnetic flux tubes in the chromosphere with height. The magnetic scale height B(z)(dB/dz)-1 is found to be of the order of 300 km and a strong horizontal magnetic field is associated with noticeable flux tube expansion at a height of ~900 km.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- October 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:200810719
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0808.3334
- Bibcode:
- 2008A&A...489L..57K
- Keywords:
-
- Sun: chromosphere;
- Sun: flares;
- Sun: X-rays;
- gamma rays;
- Sun: magnetic fields;
- Sun: activity;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 4 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters