Radio Pulsating Structures with Coronal Loop Contraction

Abstract

We present a multi-wavelength study of a solar eruption event on 20 July 2004, comprising observations in Hα, EUV, soft X-rays, and in radio waves with a wide frequency range. The analyzed data show both oscillatory patterns and shock wave signatures during the impulsive phase of the flare. At the same time, large-scale EUV loops located above the active region were observed to contract. Quasi-periodic pulsations with ∼ 10 and ∼ 15 s oscillation periods were detected both in microwave – millimeter waves and in decimeter – meter waves. Our calculations show that MHD oscillations in the large EUV loops – but not likely in the largest contracting loops – could have produced the observed periodicity in radio emission, by triggering periodic magnetic reconnection and accelerating particles. As the plasma emission in decimeter – meter waves traces the accelerated particle beams and the microwave emission shows a typical gyrosynchrotron flux spectrum (emission created by trapped electrons within the flare loop), we find that the particles responsible for the two different types of emission could have been accelerated in the same process. Radio imaging of the pulsed decimetric – metric emission and the shock-generated radio type II burst in the same wavelength range suggest a rather complex scenario for the emission processes and locations. The observed locations cannot be explained by the standard model of flare loops with an erupting plasmoid located above them, driving a shock wave at the CME front.