Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The composition of heavy ions in solar energetic particle events

  • Published:
Space Science Reviews Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We review recent advances in determining the elemental, charge-state, and isotopic composition of ≲ 1 to ≲ 20 MeV per nucleon ions in solar energetic particle (SEP) events and outline our current understanding of the nature of solar and interplanetary processes which may explain the observations.

The composition within individual SEP events may vary both with time and energy, and will in general be different from that in other SEP events. Average values of relative abundances measured in a large number of SEP events, however, are found to be roughly energy independent in the ∼ 1 to ∼ 20 MeV per nucleon range, and show a systematic deviation from photospheric abundances which seems to be organized in terms of the first ionization potential of the ion.

Direct measurements of the charge states of SEPs have revealed the surprisingly common presence of energetic He+ along with heavy ions with typically coronal ionization states. High-resolution measurements of isotopic abundance ratios in a small number of SEP events show these to be consistent with the universal composition except for the puzzling overabundance of the SEP 22Ne/20Ne relative to this isotopes ratio in the solar wind. The broad spectrum of observed elemental abundance variations, which in their extreme result in composition anomalies characteristic of 3He-rich, heavy-ion rich and carbon-poor SEP events, along with direct measurements of the ionization states of SEPs provide essential information on the physical characteristics of, and conditions in the source regions, as well as important constraints to possible models for SEP production.

It is concluded that SEP acceleration is a two-step process, beginning with plasma-wave heating of the ambient plasma in the lower corona, which may include pockets of cold material, and followed by acceleration to the observed energies by either flare-generated coronal shocks or Fermi-type processes in the corona. Interplanetary propagation as well as acceleration by interplanetary propagating shock will often further modify the composition of SEP events, especially at lower energies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Althouse, W. E., Cummings, A. C., Garrard, T. L., Mewaldt, R. A., Stone, E. C., and Vogt, R. E.: 1978, Geosc. Electr. 16, 204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anglin, J. D.: 1975, Astrophys. J. 198, 733.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anglin, J. D., Dietrich, W. F., and Simpson, J. A.: 1973, R. Ramaty and R. G. Stone (eds.), High Energy Phenomena on the Sun, Sympsium Proceedings, NASA SP342, p. 315.

  • Anglin, J. D., Dietrich, W. F., and Simpson, J. A.: 1977, Conference Papers, 15th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Plovdiv 5, 43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, T. P. and Krimigis, S. M.: 1971, J. Geophys. Res. 76, 4230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, T. P. and Krimigis, S. M.: 1973, Conference Papers, 13th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Denver 2, 1054.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, T. P. and Krimigis, S. M.: 1975, Conference Papers, 14th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Munich 5, 1592.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, T. P., Krimigis, S. M., Hovestadt, D., Klecker, B., and Gloeckler, G.: 1976, Solar Phys. 49, 395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balasubrahmanyan, V. K. and Serlemitsos, A. T.: 1974, Nature 252, 460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bame, S. J., Asbridge, J. R., Feldman, W. C., Montgomery, M. D., and Kearney, P. D.: 1975, Solar Phys. 43, 463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bame, S. J., Asbridge, J. R., Feldman, W. C., Fenimore, E. E., and Gosling, J. T.: 1979, Solar Phys. 62, 179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertsch, D. L., Fichtel, C. E., and Reames, D. V.: 1969, Astrophys. J. Letters 157, L53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biswas, S. and Fichtel, C. E.: 1963, Astrophys. J. 139, 941.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biswas, S. and Fichtel, C. E.: 1965, Space Sci. Rev. 4, 709, 736.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, A. G. W.: 1973, Space Sci. Rev. 15, 121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, A. G. W.: 1980, ‘Elementary and Nuclidic Abundances in the Solar System’, The Harvard University, Center for Astrophysics, Preprint 1357.

  • Casse, M. and Goret, P.: 1978, Astrophys. J. 221, 703.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colgate, S. A., Audouze, J., and Fowler, W. A.: 1977a, Astrophys. J. 213, 849.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colgate, S. A., Audouze, J., and Fowler, W. A.: 1977b, Conference Papers, 15th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Plovdiv 5, 70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, W. R., Stone, E. C., Vogt, R. E., Trainor, J. H., and Webber, W. R.: 1979, Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf. 12, 265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, W. R., Stone, E. C., and Vogt, R. E.: 1980, Astrophys. J. Letters 238, L97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, H. J., Price, P. B., and Sullivan, J. D.: 1972, Astrophys. J. Letters 175, L149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, H. J., Price, P. B., Cartwright, B. G., and Sullivan, J. D.: 1975, Astrophys. J. 195, 213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, W. F.: 1973, Astrophys. J. 180, 955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, W. F. and Simpson, J. A. 1978, Astrophys. J. Letters 225, L41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, W. F. and Simpson, J. A. 1979a, Astrophys. J. Letters 231, L91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, W. F. and Simpson, J. A. 1979b, Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Kyoto 5, 85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, W. F. and Simpson, J. A. 1981, Astrophys. J. Letters 245, L41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Englade, R. C.: 1971, J. Geophys. Res. 76, 768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan, C. Y., Gloeckler, G., and Hovestadt, D.: 1975, in S. R. Kane (ed.), ‘Solar Gamma-, X-, and EUV Radiation’, IAU Symp. 68, 4111.

  • Fichtel, C. E. and Guss, D. E.: 1961, Phys. Rev. Letters 6, 495.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisk, L. A.: 1978, Astrophys. J. 224, 1048.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freier, P. S. and Webber, W. R.: 1963, J. Geophys. Res. 68, 1605.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Munoz, M., Mason, G. M., and Simpson, J. A.: 1977, Astrophys. J. 217, 859.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrard, T. L., Stone, E. C., and Vogt, R. E.: 1973, in R. Ramaty and R. G. Stone (eds.), High Energy Phenomena on the Sun, Symposium Proceedings, NASA SP-342, p. 341.

  • Geiss, J.: 1972, in C. P. Sonnet, P. J. Coleman Jr., and J. M. Wilcox (eds.), Solar Wind, NASA, SP-308, p. 559.

  • Geiss, J. and Reeves, H.: 1972, Astron. Astrophys. 18, 126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geiss, J., Eberhardt, P., Buhler, F., Meister, J., and Signer, P.: 1970, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 5972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gloeckler, G.: 1975, Conference Papers, 14th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Munich 11, 3784.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gloeckler, G.: 1979, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 17, 569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gloeckler, G., Fan, C. Y., and Hovestadt, D.: 1973, Conference Papers, 13th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Denver 2, 1492.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gloeckler, G., Sciambi, R. K., Fan, C. Y., and Hovestadt, D.: 1975a, Conference Papers, 14th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Munich 5, 1576.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gloeckler, G., Hovestadt, D., Vollmer, O., and Fan, C. Y.: 1975b, Astrophys. J. 200, L45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gloeckler, G., Sciambi, R. K., Fan, C. Y., and Hovestadt, D.: 1976, Astrophys. J. Letters 209, L93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gloeckler, G., Weiss, H., Hovestadt, D., Ipavich, F. M., Klecker, B., Fisk, L. A., Scholer, M., Fan, C. Y., and O'Gallagher, J. J.: 1981, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. N. B.: 1975, Astrophys. J. 197, 509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, D. C., Gloeckler, G., Krimigis, S. M., and Lanzerotti, L. J.: 1981a, J. Geophys. Rev. 86, 8301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, D. C. and Gloeckler, G.: 1981b, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 10, 49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havnes, O.: 1971, Nature 229, 548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovestadt, D.: 1974, in C. T. Russell (ed.), Solar Wind Three, Proceedings of Solar Wind Conference, Asilomar, Univ. of Calif., Los Angeles, p. 62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovestadt, D. and Vollmer, O.: 1971, Conference Papers, 12th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf. 4, 1608.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovestadt, D., Vollmer, O., Gloeckler, G., and Fan, C. Y.: 1973, Conference Papers, 13th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Denver 2, 1498.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovestadt, D., Gloeckler, G., Fan, C. Y., Fisk, L. A., Ipavich, F. M., Klecker, B., O'Gallagher, J. J., Scholer, M., Arbinger, H., Cain, J., Hofner, H., Kunneth, E., Laeverenz, P., and Tums, E.: 1978, IEEE Trans. Geosci. Electronics GE-16, 166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovestadt, D., Gloeckler, G., Hofner, H., Klecker, B., Fan, C. Y., Fisk, L. A., Ipavich, F. M., O'Gallagher, J. J., and Scholer, M.: 1981a, Adv. Space Res. 1, No. 3, 61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovestadt, D., Gloeckler, G., Hofner, H., Klecker, B., Ipavich, F. M., Fan, C. Y., Fisk, L. A., O'Gallagher, J. J., and Scholer, M.: 1981, Astrophys. J. Letters 246, L81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovestadt, D., Klecker, B., Gloeckler, G., and Ipavich, F. M.: 1981c, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovestadt, D., Klecker, B., and Gloeckler, G.: 1983, ‘Survey of He+/He2+ Abundance Ratios in Energetic Particle Events’, Proc. Conf. Solar Wind V, Vermont, p. 647.

  • Hsieh, K. C. and Simpson, J. A.: 1970, Astrophys. J. Letters 162, L191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurford, G. J., Stone, E. C., and Vogt, R. E.: 1975a, Conference Papers, 14th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Munich 5, 1624.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurford, G. J., Mewaldt, R. A., Stone, E. C., and Vogt, R. E.: 1975b, Astrophys. J. 201, L95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibragimov, I. A. and Kocharov, G. E.: 1977, Conference Papers, 15th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Plovdiv 12, 221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibragimov, I. A., Kocharov, G. E., and Kocharov, L. G.: 1978, Academi Nauk SSR, A.F. Joffe Phys. Techn. Inst., No. 588.

  • Jordon, C.: 1969, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 142, 501.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klecker, B.: 1981, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 13, 143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klecker, B., Scholer, M., Hovestadt, D., Fan, C. Y., Fisk, L. A., Gloeckler, G., Ipavich, F. M., and Oc'Gallagher, J. J.: 1981a, Adv. Space Res. 1, No. 3, 65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klecker, B., Scholer, M., Hovestadt, D., Gloeckler, G., and Ipavich, F. M.: 1981b, Astrophys. J. 251, 393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kocharov, L. G. and Kocharov, G. E.: 1981, preprint, FTI AN SSSR, No. 722.

  • Krimigis, S. M., Armstrong, T. P., Axofrd, W. I., Bostrom, C. O., Fan, C. Y., Gloeckler, G., and Lanzerotti, L. J.: 1977, Space Sci. Rev. 21, 329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malinovsky, M. and Heroux, L.: 1973, Astrophys. J. 181, 1009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, G. M., Hovestadt, D., and Gloeckler, G.: 1979a, Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Kyoto 5, 110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, G. M., Gloeckler, G., and Hovestadt, D.: Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Kyoto 5, 128.

  • Mason, G. M., Gloeckler, G., and Hovestadt, D.: 1979c, Astrophys. J. Letters 231, L87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, G. M., Gloeckler, G., and Hovestadt, D.: 1979d, Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Kyoto 1, 259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, G. M., Fisk, L. A., Hovestadt, D., and Gloeckler, G.: 1980, Astrophys. J. 239, 1070.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, G. M., Weiss, H., Gloeckler, G., and Hovestadt, D.: 1981, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, G. M., Gloeckler, G., and Hovestadt, D.: 1983, Astrophys. J. 267, 844.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma Sung, L. S., Gloeckler, G., Fan, C. Y., and Hovestadt, D.: 1979, Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Kyoto 12, 271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma Sung, L. S., Gloeckler, G., Fan, C. Y., and Hovestadt, D.: 1981, Astrophys. J. Letters 245, L45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma Sung, L. S., Gloeckler, G., and Hovestadt, D.: 1981b, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 10, 45.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, R. E.: 1983, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 21, 305.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, R. E., von Rosenvinge, T. T., and McDonald, F. B.: 1979, Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Kyoto 5, 61.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, R. E., von Rosenvinge, T. T., and McDonald, F. B.: 1981a, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 10, 33.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, R. E., von Rosenvinge, T. T., and McDonald, F. B.: 1981b, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mewaldt, R. A.: 1980, ‘Spacecraft Measurements of Elemental and Isotopic Composition of Solar Energetic Particles’, in Pepin, Eddy, and Merrill (eds.), Proc. of Conf. on the Ancient Sun, Fossil Record in the Earth, Moon and Meteorites, Pergamon Press, p. 81.

  • Mewaldt, R. A., Spalding, J. D., Stone, E. C., and Vogt, R. E.: 1979, Astrophys. J. 231, L97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mewaldt, R. A., Spalding, J. D., Stone, E. C., and Vogt, R. E.: 1981a, Astrophys. J. Letters 243, L163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mewaldt, R. A., Spalding, J. D., Stone, E. C., and Vogt, R. E.: 1981b, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. P.: 1979a, 22nd Liège Int. Astrophys. Symp., Univ. of Liège Press, pp. 153, 465, 477, 489.

  • Meyer, J. P.: 1979b, Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Kyoto 2, 115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. P.: 1981a, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. P.: 1981b, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mobius, E., Hovestadt, D., Klecker, B., Scholer, M., and Gloeckler, G.: 1980, Astrophys. J. 238, 768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mobius, E., Hovestadt, D., Klecker, B., Scholer, M., and Gloeckler, G.: 1981, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 166.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Gallagher, J. J., Hovestadt, D., Klecker, B., Gloeckler, G., and Fan, C. Y.: Astrophys. J. Letters 209, L97.

  • Pesses, M. E.: 1981, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, P. B., Chan, J. H., Crawford, H. J., and Sullivan, J. D.: 1973, Conference Papers, 13th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Denver 2, 1479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramaty, R. and Kozlovsky, B.: 1974, Astrophys. J, 193, 729.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramaty, R., Colgate, S. A., Dulk, G. A., Hoyng, P., Knight, J. W., Lin, R. P., Melrose, D. B., Paizis, C., Orrall, F., Shapiro, P. R., Smith, D. F., and Van Hollebeke, M.: 1979, Proc. Second Skylab Workshop on Solar Flares, Boulder, Colorado, Chapter 4.

  • Ramaty, R., Colgate, S. A., Dulk, G. A., Hoyng, P., Knight, J. W., Lin, R. P., Melrose, D. B., Paizis, C., Orrall, F., Shapiro, P. R., Smith, D. F., and Van Hollebeke, M. A. I.: 1980, in P. A. Sturrock (ed.), Solar Flares, Boulder, Colorado, Assoc. Univ. Press, p. 117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, M. N., Zautiyal, C. M., and Venhatesan, T. R.: 1981, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reames, D. V. and von Rosenvinge, T. T.: 1981, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, J. E. and Aller, L. H.: 1976, Science 191, 1223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothwell, P. L.: 1976, J. Geophys. Res. 81, 709.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaeffer, O. A. and Zahringer, J.: 1962, Phys. Rev. Letters 8, 389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholer, M.: 1976, Astrophys. J. Letters 209, L101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholer, M., Hovestadt, D., Klecker, B., Gloeckler, G., and Fan, C. Y.: 1978, J. Geophys. Res. 83, 3349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholer, M., Hovestadt, D., Klecker, B., and Gloeckler, G.: 1979, Astrophys. J. 227, 323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sciambi, R. K., Gloeckler, G., Fan, C. Y., and Hovestadt, D.: 1977, Astrophys. J. 214, 316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serlemitsos, A. T. and Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.: 1975, Astrophys. J. 198, 195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Signer, P. and Suess, H. E.: 1963, in J. Geiss and E. D. Goldberg (eds.), Earth Science and Meteorites, North-Holland, Amsterdam, p. 241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sturrock, P. A.: 1980, in P. A. Sturrock (ed.), Solar Flares, Colo. Assoc. Univ. Press, Boulder, p. 411.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teegarden, B. J., von Rosenvinge, T. T., and McDonald, F. B.: 1973, Astrophys. J. 180, 571.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trivedi, S. S. and Biswas, S.: 1981, Conference Papers, 17th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Paris 3, 157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tums, E., Gloeckler, G., Fan, C. Y., Cain, J., and Sciambi, R. K.: 1974, IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. NS-21, 210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Allen, J. A., Venkatarangan, P., and Venkatesan, D.: 1974, J. Geophys. Res. 79, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varvoglis, H. and Papadopoulos, K.: 1983, Astrophys. J. Letters 270, L95.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Rosenvinge, T. T. and Reames, D. V.: 1979, Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Kyoto 5, 68.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Rosenvinge, T. T., McDonald, F. B., and Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.: 1975, Conference Papers, 14th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Munich 5, 1574.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webber, W. R.: 1975, Conference Papers, 14th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Munich 5, 1597.

    Google Scholar 

  • Withbroe, G. L.: 1971, NBS Spec. Publ. No. 353, p. 127.

  • Witte, M., Wibberenz, G., Kunow, H., and Muller-Mellin, R.: 1979, Conference Papers, 16th Intl. Cosmic Ray Conf., Kyoto 5, 79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwickl, R. D., Roelof, E. C., Gold, R. E., and Krimigis, S. M.: 1978, Astrophys. J. 225, 281.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Arizona, 85721, Tucson, AZ, USA

    C. Y. Fan

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland, 20742, College Park, MD, USA

    G. Gloeckler

  3. Max-Planck Institut für Physik und Astrophysik, 8046, Garching, München, F.R.G.

    D. Hovestadt

Authors
  1. C. Y. Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Gloeckler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. Hovestadt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fan, C.Y., Gloeckler, G. & Hovestadt, D. The composition of heavy ions in solar energetic particle events. Space Sci Rev 38, 143–178 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180338

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180338

Keywords

Search

Navigation