Fast discrete emissions at hard X-rays and sub-mm-IR waves in the impulsive phase of solar bursts

Abstract

The time profiles of electromagnetic fluxes at hard X-rays and short microwaves are signatures of the energy conversion mechanisms at the origin of solar flares. The distinction between continuum and discrete energy production brings drastic conceptual consequences for the interpretation of the energy conversion processes. As more sensitive detectors were used on measurements with higher time resolution, the notion of continuum energy release in the impulsive phase is being replaced by the concept of repetitive energy production or Elementary Flare Bursts manifested at hard X-rays and by rapid time structures in microwave emissions. These discrete time structures are now known to be as short as tens of milliseconds, and part of their emissions are possibly produced by the same populations of accelerated electrons. Fast spikes, with mm-wave emission fluxes increasing for shorter wavelengths, simultaneous with hard X-rays, bring severe constraints for interpretation. This problem is reviewed, with the suggestion of a possible significant burst emission component in the sub-mm-IR range, due to primeval short-lived explosive compact sources, for which there are still no diagnostics.