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Plasma jet and shock formation during current loop coalescence in solar flares

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Abstract

We report on the results of plasma jet and shock formation during the current loop coalescence in solar flares. It is shown by a theoretical model based on the ideal MHD equation that the spiral, two-sided plasma jet can be explosively driven by the plasma rotational motion induced during the two current loop coalescence process. The maximum velocity of the jet can exceed the Alfvén velocity, depending on the plasma β (= c 2 s v 2 A ) ratio. The acceleration time getting to the maximum jet velocity is quite short and le than 1 s. The rebound following the plasma collapse driven by magnetic pinch effect can strongly induce super-Alfvénic flow. We present the condition of the shock formation. We briefly discuss the high-energy particle acceleration during the plasma collapse as well as by the shocks.

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  1. Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama University, 930, Toyama, Japan

    Jun-Ichi Sakai

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  1. Jun-Ichi Sakai
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Sakai, JI. Plasma jet and shock formation during current loop coalescence in solar flares. Sol Phys 120, 117–124 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00148537

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