Artículo
Magnetic field and plasma scaling laws: Their implications for coronal heating models
Fecha de publicación:
12/2000
Editorial:
IOP Publishing
Revista:
Astrophysical Journal
ISSN:
0004-637X
Idioma:
Inglés
Tipo de recurso:
Artículo publicado
Clasificación temática:
Resumen
In order to test different models of coronal heating, we have investigated how the magnetic field strength of coronal flux tubes depends on the end-to-end length of the tube. Using photospheric magnetograms from both observed and idealized active regions, we computed potential, linear force-free, and magnetostatic extrapolation models. For each model, we then determined the average coronal field strength, langBrang, in approximately 1000 individual flux tubes with regularly spaced footpoints. Scatter plots of langBrang versus length, L, are characterized by a flat section for small L and a steeply declining section for large L. They are well described by a function of the form log img1.gif = C1 + C2 log L + C3/2 log(L2 + S2), where C2 ≈ 0, -3 ≤ C3 ≤ -1, and 40 ≤ S ≤ 240 Mm is related to the characteristic size of the active region. There is a tendency for the magnitude of C3 to decrease as the magnetic complexity of the region increases. The average magnetic energy in a flux tube, langB2rang, exhibits a similar behavior, with only C3 being significantly different. For flux tubes of intermediate length, 50 ≤ L ≤ 300 Mm, corresponding to the soft X-ray loops in a study by Klimchuk & Porter (1995), we find a universal scaling law of the form img1.gif ∝ Lδ, where δ = -0.88 ± 0.3. By combining this with the Klimchuk & Porter result that the heating rate scales as L-2, we can test different models of coronal heating. We find that models involving the gradual stressing of the magnetic field, by slow footpoint motions, are in generally better agreement with the observational constraints than are wave heating models. We conclude, however, that the theoretical models must be more fully developed and the observational uncertainties must be reduced before any definitive statements about specific heating mechanisms can be made.
Palabras clave:
Magnetic Fields
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Articulos(IAFE)
Articulos de INST.DE ASTRONOMIA Y FISICA DEL ESPACIO(I)
Articulos de INST.DE ASTRONOMIA Y FISICA DEL ESPACIO(I)
Citación
Mandrini, Cristina Hemilse; Démoulin, Pascal; Klimchuk, James; Magnetic field and plasma scaling laws: Their implications for coronal heating models; IOP Publishing; Astrophysical Journal; 530; 2; 12-2000; 999-1015
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