Abstract

A quantitative method to determine the lower energy cutoff (E,) of power-law electron beams is established. We apply this method to the 54 hard X-ray events observed with BATSE/Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO). The results show that about 75% of the observed broken double power-law spectra of hard X-rays can be explained by a lower energy cutoff in the power-law electron beams. The values of E,, varying among the flares, are all greater than the usually accepted 20 keV! On average, E-c is about 69 keV. So high a lower energy cutoff of nonthermal electrons implies that nonthermal electrons might not be as important in powering solar flares as was previously thought. Further significance of this finding is discussed.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.