Energy transport by energetic electrons released during solar flares. II - Current filamentation and plasma heating

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (21) References (18) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Energy Transport by Energetic Electrons Released during Solar Flares. II. Current Filamentation and Plasma Heating Winglee, R. M. ; Pritchett, P. L. ; Dulk, G. A. Abstract Energy transport associated with the propagation of energetic electrons through a flaring flux tube is examined through two-dimensional (three-velocity component) electrostatic particle simulations. It is shown that, as the energetic electrons flow outward, a return current of ambient plasma electrons is drawn inward to maintain quasi-neutrality, and this return current can be spatially separate from the primary current carried by the energetic electrons. Plasma ions are accelerated across the field lines to produce current closure or charge neutralization and reach energies comparable to those of the energetic electrons. As a result, the current system splits or filaments into a system of alternating inward and outward going currents, with the width of each filament of the order of an energetic ion gyroradius. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: June 1988 DOI: 10.1086/166390 Bibcode: 1988ApJ...329..440W Keywords: Energy Transfer; High Energy Electrons; Solar Electrons; Solar Flares; Electron Acceleration; Plasma Heating; Solar X-Rays; Solar Physics; HYDROMAGNETICS; PARTICLE ACCELERATION; SUN: FLARES; SUN: X-RAYS full text sources ADS | Related Materials (1) Part 1: 1988ApJ...327..968W