Limits on Radiative Capture Gamma-Ray Lines and Implications for Energy Content in Flare-Accelerated Protons

Measurements of radiative capture gamma-ray lines can provide information on both the energy content of nonthermal protons below 1 MeV and the temperature in the region where they interact. We have derived upper limits on the fluences in three proton capture lines of (expn 12)C and (expn 13)C in the flare-averaged gamma-ray spectrum from 19 X-class flares observed with the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM). The most significant limit comes from the 2.37 MeV line that is excited by 0.46 MeV protons. We estimate an upper limit on the energy content in the accelerated protons by extrapolating the power law spectrum derived at higher energies down to the resonant energy. The derived upper limit on the temperature, 5-10 10(expn 70K, is higher than measured in the flaring region with other techniques, even for this optimistic energy content. It is possible that NASA s High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (HESSI) will be sensitive enough to detect the 2.37 MeV line if temperatures exceed 2 10(expn 7)K.
For Energy Content in Flare-Accelerated Protons. Prepared in collaboration with the Science Directorate, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL.