Analysis of Correlated Complex Solar Type III Radio Bursts and Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) Events

Cane et al., JGR, 2002, proposed that a component of > 20 MeV solar proton events was related to solar "flaring", based on simultaneous observations of complex type III-like solar radio bursts. This claim is important because it implies that, even for intense SEP events, some of the particles come from a source other than acceleration by coronal mass ejection-driven shocks. In support of that claim, our independent analysis shows that the complex type III bursts are indeed statistically associated with energetic SEP (proton) events. In this presentation, we report on an analysis of the complete Wind Waves/IMP-8 data set for correlated radio and SEP events. We extend the analysis of the same radio events to the perspective of the Ulysses spacecraft. We also describe the extent to which the characteristics of the complex type III bursts permit them to serve as proxies for SEP event occurrence and intensity. We discuss briefly how STEREO particle and wave data may best be applied to improved understanding of the relationships between these complex events.