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We study a unique fine structure in the dynamic spectrum of the solar radio emission discovered by the UTR-2 radio telescope (Kharkiv, Ukraine) in the frequency band of 20 – 30 MHz. The structure was observed against the background of a broadband type IV radio burst and consisted of parallel drifting narrow bands of enhanced emission and absorption on the background emission. The observed structure differs from the widely known zebra pattern at meter and decimeter wavelengths by the opposite directions of the frequency drift within a single stripe at a given time. We show that the observed properties can be understood in the framework of the radiation mechanism by virtue of the double plasma resonance effect in a nonuniform coronal magnetic trap. We propose a source model providing the observed frequency drift of the stripes.

On 13 March 2010 an unusually long duration event was observed by radio spectrographs onboard the STEREO-B and Wind spacecraft. The event started at about 13:00 UT and ended at approximately 06:00 UT on 14 March. The event presents itself as slow drifting, quasi-continuous emission in a very narrow frequency interval, with an apparent frequency drift from about 625 kHz to approximately 425 kHz. Using the Leblanc, Dulk, and Bougeret (1998) interplanetary density model we determined that the drift velocities of the radio source are $\approx$33km s$^{-1}$ and $\approx$52km s$^{-1}$ for 0.2 and 0.5 times the densities of Leblanc model, respectively with a normalization density of 7.2cm$^{-3}$ at 1AU and assuming harmonic emission. A joint analysis of the radio direction finding data, coronograph white-light observations and modeling revealed that the radio sources appear to be localized in regions of interaction with relatively high density and slow solar wind speed., 12 pages, 4 figures, Accepted in Solar Physics

Using a new type of oscillation map, made from the radio spectra by the wavelet technique, we study the 18 April 2014 M7.3 flare (SOL2014-04-18T13:03:00L245C017). We find a quasi-periodic character of this flare with periods in the range 65-115 seconds. At the very beginning of this flare, in connection with the drifting pulsation structure (plasmoid ejection) we find the 65-115 s oscillation phase drifting slowly towards lower frequencies, which indicates an upward propagating wave initiated at the start of the magnetic reconnection. In the drifting pulsation structure many periods (1-200 seconds) are found documenting multi-scale and multi-periodic processes. On this drifting structure fiber bursts with a characteristic period of about one second are superimposed, whose frequency drift is similar to that of the drifting 65-115 s oscillation phase. We also check periods found in this flare by EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS)/Hinode and Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) observations. We recognize the type III bursts (electron beams) as proposed, but their time coincidence with the EIS and IRIS peaks is not very good. This is probably due to the radio spectrum beeing a whole-disk record consisting of all bursts from any location while the EIS and IRIS peaks are emitted only from locations of slits in the EIS and IRIS observations., 18 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Solar Physics on May 24, 2017

A dm-radio emission with fiber bursts observed on 11 July 2005 was analyzed using wavelet filtration and spectral methods. In filtered radio spectra we found structures with different characteristic period P and frequency drift FD: i) fiber substructures (composed of dot emissions) with P 1≈ 0.5 s, FD1=− 87 MHz s−1 on average, ii) fiber structures with P 2≈1.9 s, and iii) drifting structures with P 3≈81.4 s, FD2=− 8.7, + 98.5, and − 21.8 MHz s−1. In the wavelet spectra we recognized patterns having the form of tadpoles. They were detected with the same characteristic periods P as found for the filtered structures. The frequency drift of the tadpole heads is found to be equal to the frequency drift of some groups of fibers for the long-period wavelet tadpoles (P 3) and to the frequency drift of individual fibers for the short-period tadpoles (P 2). Considering these wavelet tadpoles as signatures of propagating magnetoacoustic wave trains, the results indicate the presence of several wave trains in the fibers’ source. While the long-period wave trains trigger or modulate a whole group of fibers, the short-period ones look like being connected with individual fiber bursts. This result supports the model of fibers based on magnetoacoustic waves. Using a density model of the solar atmosphere we derived the velocities of the magnetoacoustic waves, 107 and 562 km s−1, and setting them equal to the Alfven ones we estimated the magnetic field in the source of fiber bursts as 10.7 and 47.8 G.

International audience; The properties of powerful (flux >10-19 W m-2 Hz-1) type III bursts observed in July - August 2002 by the radio telescope UTR-2 at frequencies 10 - 30 MHz are analyzed. Most bursts have been registered when the active regions associated to these bursts were located near the central meridian or at 40° - 60° to the East or West from it. All powerful type III bursts drift from high to low frequencies with frequency drift rates 1 - 2.5 MHz s-1. It is important to emphasize that according to our observations the drift rate is linearly increasing with frequency. The duration of the bursts changes mainly from 6 s at frequency 30 MHz up to 12 s at 10 MHz. The instantaneous frequency bandwidth does not depend on the day of observations, i.e. on the disk location of the source active region, and is increasing with frequency. The results of observational properties are discussed in the frame of the standard plasma model of type III bursts radio emission.

In the paper by Kliem, Karlický, and Benz (Astron. Astrophys.360, 715, 2000) it was suggested, that plasmoids formed during the bursty regime of solar flare reconnection can be “visualised” in the radio spectra as drifting pulsating structures via accelerated particles trapped inside the plasmoid. In the present paper we investigate this idea in detail. First, simple statistical analysis supporting this hypothesis is presented. Then, by using the 2.5-D MHD (including gravity) model solar flare reconnection in the inhomogeneous, stratified atmosphere is simulated and the formation and subsequent ejection of the plasmoid is demonstrated. The ejected plasmoid, which is considered to be a trap for accelerated electrons, is traced and its plasma parameters are computed. To estimate the associated plasma radio emission we need to know locations of accelerated electrons and corresponding plasma frequencies. General considerations predict that these electrons should be distributed mainly along the magnetic separatrix surfaces and this was confirmed by using a particle-in-cell simulation. Finally, under some simplifying assumptions the model dynamic radio spectrum is constructed. The relation between the global frequency drift and the plasmoid motion in the inhomogeneous ambient atmosphere is studied. The results are discussed with respect to the observed drifting pulsation structures and their possible utilisation for flare magnetic field diagnostics.

If plasma waves propagate in the direction of the plasma density decrease, their spectrum shifts to large wave numbers (to small phase velocities). This means that the spectrum of plasma waves excited by an electron beam concentrates near the distribution function (“plateau”) border, which shifts in the region of low velocities in the process of quasilinear relaxation. As the spectrum of excited plasma waves shifts in the region of large wave numbers, their frequency grows in accordance with the dispersion equation, which describes these waves. When the growth of the plasma wave frequency exceeds the decrease of the frequency owing to the regular inhomogeneity in the corona, the branch with positive frequency drift appears on the dynamic spectrum of the radio emission. Our computations allow us to estimate the density and energy of electron beams generating type U bursts.

The new 0.8 – 2.0 GHz Ondřejov radio spectrograph with high time resolution (10 ms) is presented. As an example of first observations the 0.95 – 1.3 GHz narrowband pulsating structure with a characteristic quasi-period of about 150 ms, observed during the impulsive phase of the 9 June 2007 M1.0 flare, is shown. Some of the pulses show very fast but measurable frequency drift of about −17 GHz s−1. The model of this pulsating structure, based on the tearing and coalescence processes in the current sheet, is briefly discussed.

A high-speed halo-type coronal mass ejection (CME), associated with a GOES M4.6 soft X-ray flare in NOAA AR 0180 at S12W29 and an EIT wave and dimming, occurred on 9 November 2002. A complex radio event was observed during the same period. It included narrow-band fluctuations and frequency-drifting features in the metric wavelength range, type III burst groups at metric--hectometric wavelengths, and an interplanetary type II radio burst, which was visible in the dynamic radio spectrum below 14 MHz. To study the association of the recorded solar energetic particle (SEP) populations with the propagating CME and flaring, we perform a multi-wavelength analysis using radio spectral and imaging observations combined with white-light, EUV, hard X-ray, and magnetogram data. Velocity dispersion analysis of the particle distributions (SOHO and Wind in situ observations) provides estimates for the release times of electrons and protons. Our analysis indicates that proton acceleration was delayed compared to the electrons. The dynamics of the interplanetary type II burst identify the burst source as a bow shock created by the fast CME. The type III burst groups, with start times close to the estimated electron release times, trace electron beams travelling along open field lines into the interplanetary space. The type III bursts seem to encounter a steep density gradient as they overtake the type II shock front, resulting in an abrupt change in the frequency drift rate of the type III burst emission. Our study presents evidence in support of a scenario in which electrons are accelerated low in the corona behind the CME shock front, while protons are accelerated later, possibly at the CME bow shock high in the corona., Solar Physics, November 2007, in press

Magnetic reconnection is commonly accepted to play a key role in flare energy release, but only poor information about the main characteristics of this process is available so far. An intrinsic feature of reconnection is plasma density enhancement in current sheets. A unique method to detect this effect is provided by analysis of drifting bursts, whose emission frequency is close to the local Langmuir frequency or its harmonics. With this purpose, we analyze a series of several tens of drifting microwave bursts during the 30 March 2001 flare. The burst drift rates range from −10 to 20 GHz s−1. Using one-dimensional scans recorded with the SSRT interferometer at two different frequencies near 5.7 GHz, we have measured relative positions of burst sources and their velocities along a flare loop revealed from soft X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet images. It is argued that the contribution of the increasing density effect into the observed frequency drift rates is about 6 GHz s−1, which is shown to be consistent with theoretical models of magnetic reconnection with reasonable boundary conditions.

In the years 2002 – 2005, 38 groups of the reverse drift bursts (RDBs) were observed in the 0.8 – 4.5 GHz frequency range by the Ondřejov radiospectrograph. In 21 cases, which were observed at the times of the RHESSI observations, spatial structure, positional changes, and spectra of X-ray sources during RDB observations are studied in detail. First, based on the frequency drift and the spatial structure of the associated X-ray source, the events are classified as: (a) fast drifting RDBs with a compact X-ray source, (b) fast drifting RDBs with a multiple X-ray source (FM), and slowly drifting RDBs. Then, the spectra of X-ray sources at the times of RDBs are analyzed. It is found that most fast drifting RDBs (16 of 17 cases) are associated with the spectra having a distinct power-law (non-thermal) component. In contrast, the X-ray spectra associated with the slowly drifting RDBs are predominantly purely thermal (in three out of four cases; in the 26 July 2004, case the X-ray spectrum is thermal and high temperature, with non-thermal component). Two special cases of RDBs observed during the 28 October 2003, and 23 July 2004, flares are added for comparison. The most frequent events are those with fast drifting RDBs, a compact short-lasting X-ray sources, and a power-law X-ray spectrum. The individual reverse drift bursts (∼1 s duration) do not show a clear temporal association with individual peaks of hard X-ray bursts. During slowly drifting RDBs the shape of the associated X-ray source changed or expanded. Among them the most interesting one was observed in 26 July 2004, when the very slowly drifting RDBs (+40 MHz s−1) were associated with an X-ray loop-like source continuously elongating in the southwest direction. In the most cases the model of RDBs with electron beams is compatible with the observations, but in flares on 26 July 2004, and 28 October 2003, the RDBs are probably generated by some other type of an agent; we propose here a thermal conduction front.

Detailed statistics and analysis of 264 type III bursts observed with the 625–1500 MHz spectrograph during the 23rd solar cycle (from July 2000 to April 2003) are carried out in the present article. The main statistical results are similar to those of microwave type III bursts presented in the literature cited, such as the correlation between type III bursts and flares, polarization, duration, frequency drift rate (normal and reverse slopes), distribution of type III bursts and frequency bandwidth. At the same time, the statistical results also point out that the average values of the frequency drift rates and degrees of polarization increase with the increase in frequency and the average value of duration decreases with the increase in frequency. Other statistical results show that the starting frequencies of the type III bursts are mainly within the range from 650 to 800 MHz, and most type III bursts have an average bandwidth of 289 MHz. The distributions imply that the electron acceleration and the place of energy release are within a limited decimetric range. The characteristics of the narrow bandwidth possibly involve the magnetic configuration at decimetric wavelengths, the location of electron acceleration in the magnetic field nearto the main flare, the relevant runaway or trapped electrons, or the coherent radio emission produced by some secondary shock waves. In addition, the number of type III bursts with positive frequency drift rates is almost equal to that with negative frequency drift rates. This is probably explained by the hypothesis that an equal number of electron beams are accelerated upwards and downwards within the range of 625 to 1500 MHz. The radiation mechanism of type III bursts at decimetric wavelengths probably includes these microwave and metric mechanisms and the most likely cause of the coherent plasma radiation are the emission processes of the electron cyclotron maser.

On April 21, 2002, a broadband solar radio burst was observed at about 01:00 – 03:00 UT with the digital spectrometers of National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC). Also many fiber bursts superposed on the continuum bursts were detected in the frequency range of 2.6 – 3.8 GHz during the time interval. After data processing, some parameters of the fibers such as frequency drift rate, duration, bandwidth, and relative bandwidth were determined. The mean value of the frequency drift was in the range of 42.3 – 87.4 MHz s−1 (negative). A theoretical interpretation for the fibers was presented based upon a model of the velocity of Alfven solitons. In this model, the source of the fiber emission was considered as the ducting of the solitons within the magnetic-mirror loop. Then the magnetic field strength of the fiber source was estimated to be about 130 ≤ B0 ≤ 270 G. Also a comparison of the magnetic field estimation was made with another model of whistler group velocity.

The results of observations of solar decametric drift pair bursts are presented. These observations were carried out during a Type III burst storm on July 11–21, 2002, with the decameter radio telescope UTR-2, equipped with new back-end facilities. High time and frequency resolution of the back-end allowed us to obtain new information about the structure and properties of these bursts. The statistical analysis of more than 700 bursts observed on 13–15 July was performed separately for “forward” and “reverse” drift pair bursts. Such an extensive amount of these kind of bursts has never been processed before. It should be pointed out that “forward” and “reverse” drift pair bursts have a set of similar parameters, such as time delay between the burst elements, duration of an element, and instant bandwidth of an element. Nevertheless some of their parameters are different. So, the absolute average value of frequency drift rate for “forward” bursts is 0.8 MHz s−1, while for “reverse” ones it is 2 MHz s−1. The obtained functional dependencies “drift rate vs. frequency” and “flux density vs. frequency” were found to be different from the current knowledge. We also report about the observation of unusual variants of drift pairs, in particular, of “hook” bursts and bursts with fine time and frequency structure. A possible mechanism of drift pairs generation is proposed, according to which this emission may originate from the interaction of Langmuir waves with the magnetosonic waves having equal phase and group velocities.

Dynamics of a spatially-limited electron beam in the inhomogeneous solar corona plasma is considered in the framework of weak turbulence theory when the temperature of the beam significantly exceeds that of surrounding plasma. The numerical solution of kinetic equations manifests that generally the beam accompanied by Langmuir waves propagates as a beam-plasma structure with a decreasing velocity. Unlike the uniform plasma case the structure propagates with the energy losses in the form of Langmuir waves. The results obtained are compared with the results of observations of type III bursts. It is shown that the deceleration of type III sources can be explained by corona inhomogeneity. The frequency drift rates of the type III sources are found to be in good agreement with the numerical results of beam dynamics.

It is shown that the positive frequency drift sometimes observed in the high-frequency part of type III bursts can be explained by a decrease in the signal group delay as the emission source moves in the direction of decreasing density. This effect is detemined fundamentally by the density distribution along the propagation path of electromagnetic waves. It is considered to reflect the influence of magnetic field on the group delay.

Metric and decimetric type III bursts and microwave spike emissions with negative and positive frequency drift rates which were observed with radio spectrometers at Yunnan and Beijing Observatories are presented. The frequencies and heights at which the bidirectional electron beams originated are estimated. Three events reveal a separatrix frequency (at 250, 1300, and 2900 MHz) between normal- and reverse-drifting radio bursts, indicating a compact acceleration source where electron beams are injected in both upward and downward directions. These cases may indicate that the changeover frequencies of bidirectional electron beams are within a large band from 250 to 2900 MHz and the frequency bands of separatrices are in very small (4 to 100 MHz) and different bands. These type III bursts appear to be a plasma emission phenomenon from a beam of electrons which seem to have widely separated acceleration regions from the high to the low corona. These cases suggest that current sheets that separate open and closed magnetic fluxes in the low corona, and oppositely directed open field lines in the high corona are possible sites for bidirectional electron acceleration. The regions of magnetic topology from closed to open magnetic field structures should be very large (from about 20 000 to 107 000 km above the photosphere).

Eleven microwave spike events observed with the 2.6-3.8 GHz spectrometer of Beijing Astronomical Observatory (BAO) are analysed. The polarization degrees of spikes are variable, some spikes have frequency drift with the drift rate of several GHz s(-1). In particular, the time delay (8 ms) between the two polarization modes of spike is detected, which is different from previous results. According to the leading spot rule, we conclude that the o-modes arrive first. Moreover, the reversal of polarization sense versus frequency is also found. A change of the emission mode may be the cause of the polarization reversal.

The parameters of type-III sources have been observed to vary as powers of the distance of the source from the Sun. Here, the values of the observed exponents are reviewed and theoretical relationships between them are discussed and extended. It is shown that 11 observed exponents can be derived from a four-element subset. A least-squares fit is carried out by varying these four exponents and it is shown that the results are consistent with observaton to within the observational uncertainties. Best-fit expressions are given for the plasma density and temperature, the solar wind speed, beam velocity and density, frequency drift rate, peak Langmuir fields, brightness temperature, volume emissivity, beam duration and burst decay time.

Detailed observations of the herringbone (HB) fine structure on type II solar radio bursts are presented. Data from the Culgoora radiospectrograph, radiometer and radioheliograph are analyzed. The characteristic spectral profiles, frequency drift rates and exciter velocities, fluxes, source sizes, brightness temperatures, and polarizations of individual HB bursts are determined. Correlations between individual bursts within the characteristic groups of bursts and the properties of the associated type II bursts are examined. These data are compatible with HB bursts being radiation at multiples of the plasma frequency generated by electron streams accelerated by the type II shock. HB bursts are physically distinct phenomena from type II and type III bursts, differing significantly in emission processes and/or source conditions; this conclusion indicates that many of the presently available theoretical ideas for HB bursts are incorrect.

A recently proposed very general dynamic model for the interpretation of Zebra patterns (Mollwo, 1983) traces back the observed dynamic spectra to a warm helical electron beam travelling through the magnetically confined plasma of a coronal condensation. Supposing a two-dimensional field configuration it is shown that Zebra patterns with two crossing stripe systems supply an adequate number of parameters to calculate the most essential field quantities for the emitting region. The found magnitude of the magnetic field B is in accordance with the results of potential field calculations (cf. Dulk and McLean, 1978). Four events with very different values of the frequency drift of the Zebra stripes among them one with a typical braided Zebra pattern yield rather similar results. It is pointed out that special variants of the mechanism may account for fiber bursts and perhaps also type III b-bursts. Considerations on the continuation of the field configuration beyond the region of the Zebra pattern yield some basic approaches to treat the field of an unipolar sunspot.

The paper deals with the stria-burst observations by the UTR-2 radio telescope (IRE AN UkSSR, Kharkov) at the frequencies of 12.5–25 MHz.

Type-IIIb, IIId, and III solar decametric radio bursts, being distinguished by the typical negative drift rate of their dynamic spectra, are compared. Observational data were obtained with a UTR-2 antenna during the period 1973–1982. During the analysis of the bursts of all these spectral varieties, the frequency drift time (drift delay) was measured in the ranges 25 to 12.5 MHz, 25 to 20 MHz, and 12.5 to 10 MHz. Durations of type-III bursts were determined at the harmonically-related frequencies of 25 and 12.5 MHz; radio source locations were also used.

Observations of the solar radio spectrum have been made with high time and frequency resolution. Spectra were recorded over six 3-MHz bands between 30 and 82 MHz. The receivers used were capable of time and frequency resolutions of 1 ms and 2 kHz, respectively. A large number of radio bursts exhibiting a variety of find spectral structure were recorded. The bursts, referred to here as S bursts, were observed throughout the 30–82 MHz frequency range but were most numerous in the 33–44 MHz band and were very rare at 80 MHz. On a dynamic spectrum the bursts appeared as narrow sloping lines with the centre frequency of each burst decreasing with time. The rate of frequency drift was about 1/3 that of type III bursts. Most bursts were observed over only a limited frequency range (< 5 MHz) but some drifted for more than 10 MHz. The durations measured at a single frequency and the instantaneous bandwidths of S bursts were small; Δt = 49 ± 34 ms and Δf = 123 ± 56 kHz for bursts observed near 40 MHz. A significant number had Δt ≤ 20 ms. Flux densities of S burst sources were estimated to fall in the range 1023-5 × 1021 Wm−1 Hz−1. A small proportion (1–2%) of bursts showed a fine structure in which the burst source apparently only emitted at discrete, regularly spaced frequencies causing the spectrogram to exhibit a series of bands or fringes. The fringe spacing increased with wave frequency and was δf ∼- 90 kHz for fringes near 40 MHz. The bandwidths of fringes was narrow, often less than 30 kHz and in some cases down to 10–15 kHz.

A local density approximation (LDA) method is developed for reconstructing the trajectories of type III radio bursts through the interplanetary medium. The method uses the measured source directions and the measured frequency drift rates of the type III burst to determine the locations of the radio source in the interplanetary medium at consecutive frequency levels. The technique is used to reconstruct the trajectory of an actual type III burst and the results are compared to the trajectory obtained from the global density law method. The LDA method represents an improvement in that it utilizes more observed data on the type III burst and that it takes full account of the local density variations at the source locations.

We present Culgoora spectrograph and radioheliograph observations as well as a model of type IIIb bursts; the latter are defined as chains of striae of slow or no frequency drift, the chain as a whole drifting like a normal type III burst.

The simultaneous high resolution recordings of dynamic spectra in the range 93–220 MHz and polarization at 204 MHz of a complex type II–IV event which started at 08:33 UT on 3 May 1973 shown a sporadic zebra pattern. In contrast with the unpolarized type II burst, the stripes in the emission and absorption of the zebra pattern were fully polarized and most likely corresponded to the ordinary wave. As to spectral and polarization characteristics, the fiber bursts with intermediate frequency drift did not differ from the stripes of the zebra pattern. The microstructure of the type II burst was characterised by a lot of spikes with variable frequency drift, duration 0.1 s and instantaneous bandwidth ≈1 MHz.

An analysis has been made of type III bursts recorded during a decametric solar storm observed from July 29 to August 16, 1975 with the UTR-2 antenna (Kharkov, IRE Acad. Sci. Ukr. SSR). The bursts were recorded with a dynamic spectrograph and radiometers at 25.0, 20.0, 16.7, and 12.5 MHz. Daily observations have yielded histograms of the type III burst distribution with respect to the frequency drift rate in three subbands between 25.0 and 12.5 MHz. During the middle stage of the storm the drift rate was about twice as high as at the onset and the final stage of the storm. Abrupt changes in the mean frequency drift rate were registered some two to three days after the active region McMath 13790 had come onto the limb and also before it disappeared behind the solar disk. Sudden changes in the drift rates of the type III bursts were accompanied by sudden changes of their mean duration. The rather long burst durations observed at 25.0 MHz at the beginning and the end of the radio storm coincided with such at the twice lower frequency, i.e. 12.5 MHz, during the period when an increased drift rate was observed.

The earlier interpretation of the Zebra patterns by the concept of double resonance is examined for a realistic magneto-hydrostatic model of a coronal condensation over a bipolar spot group. It appears that the frequency drift of the Zebra stripes over a longer time can scarcely be explained by a change of state of the plasma as done till now. The proposed modified mechanism is based on a helical beam of electrons forming fronts that excite radiation at places of double resonance. Considering the field and density configuration conditions are found which produce drifting Zebra stripes. Structures of longer duration and absorptions arise from more or less overlapping stripe segments, which are excited by the fronts following one another in a beam of sufficient great length. The second stripe system of other drift direction found by Slottje (1972a) arises from lateral splitting of the beam.

The analysis of type III bursts observed from the OGO-5 satellite between 3.5 MHz and 50 kHz (λ6 km) gives an empirical expression for the frequency drift rate as a function of frequency that is valid from 75 kHz to 550 MHz. Using this expression and some simplifying assumptions we obtain indirectly an empirical formula for the electron density distribution of the solar wind to 1 AU which is consistent with published values of electron density and with observed type III burst drift rates.