RESIK and RHESSI observations of the 20 September 2002 flare

Abstract

Context. Soft X-ray spectra (3.33 Å–6.15 Å) from the RESIK instrument on CORONAS-F constitute a unique database for the study of the physical conditions of solar flare plasmas, enabling the calculation of differential emission measures. The two RESIK channels for the shortest wavelengths overlap with the lower end of the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) spectral energy range, which is located around 3 keV, making it possible to compare both data sets. Aims. We aim to compare observations from RESIK and RHESSI spectrometers and cross-correlate these instruments. Observations are compared with synthetic spectra calculated based on the results of one-dimensional hydrodynamical (1D-HD) modelling. The analysis was performed for the flare on 20 September 2002 (SOL2002-09-20T09:28). Methods. We estimated the geometry of the flaring loop, necessary for 1D-HD modelling, based on images from RHESSI and the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. The distribution of non-thermal electrons (NTEs) was determined from RHESSI spectra. The 1D-HD model assumes that non-thermal electrons with a power-law spectrum were injected at the apex of the flaring loop. The NTEs then heat and evaporate the chromosphere, filling the loop with hot and dense plasma radiating in soft X-rays. The total energy of electrons was constrained by comparing observed and calculated fluxes from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 1–8 Å data. We determined the temperature and density at every point of the flaring loop throughout the evolution of the flare, calculating the resulting X-ray spectra. Results. The synthetic spectra calculated based on the results of hydrodynamic modelling for the 20 September 2002 flare are consistent within a factor of two with the observed RESIK spectra during most of the duration of the flare. This discrepancy factor is probably related to the uncertainty on the cross-calibration between RESIK and RHESSI instruments.