Photospheric Network as the Energy Source for the quiet-Sun corona

Abstract

We propose a mechanism for the formation of a magnetic energy avalanche based on highly dynamic phenomena within the ubiquitous small-scale network magnetic elements in the quiet photosphere. We suggest that this mechanism may provide constant mass and energy supply for the corona and fast wind. Constantly emerging from sub-surface layers, flux tubes collide and reconnect generating magneto-hydrodynamic shocks that experience strong gradient acceleration in the sharply stratified photosphere/chromosphere region. Acoustic and fast magnetosonic branches of these waves lead to heating and/or jet formation due to cumulative effects (Tarbell et al., 1999). The Alfven waves generated by post-reconnection processes have quite a restricted range of parameters for shock formation, but their frequency, determined by the reconnection rate, may be high enough (ω≃0.1–2.5 s−1) to carry the energy into the corona. We also suggest that the primary energy source for the fast wind lies far below the coronal heights, and that the chromosphere and transition region flows and also radiative transient form the base of the fast wind. The continuous supply of emerging magnetic flux tubes provides a permanent energy production process capable of explaining the steady character of the fast wind and its energetics.