Quasi-periodic Accelerations of Energetic Particles during a Solar Flare

Abstract

We report the observation of nonstationary quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in high-energy particles during the impulsive phase of an X4.8 flare on 2002 July 23 (SOL2002-07-23T00:35). The X4.8 flare was simultaneously measured by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager, Nobeyama Radio Polarimeters, and Nobeyama Radioheliograph. The quasi-period of ∼50 ± 15 s, determined by the wavelet transform, is detected in the γ-ray line emission. Using the same method, a quasi-period of ∼90 ± 20 s is found in the γ-ray continuum, hard X-ray (HXR), and radio emissions during almost the same time. Our observations suggest that the flare QPPs should be associated with energetic ions and nonthermal electrons that are quasi-periodically accelerated by the repetitive magnetic reconnection. The different quasi-periods between the γ-ray line and continuum/HXR/radio emissions indicate an apparent difference in acceleration or propagation between energetic ions and nonthermal electrons of this solar flare.