Publication Date:
2011-08-18
Description:
It is shown that quantitative information on the mechanisms of energy transport which take place in solar flares can be obtained by measurement of impact line polarization. Linear polarization in two chromospheric lines (H-alpha and SI 1437 A) observed in the gradual phase of solar flares was investigated. The polarized electric vector is shown to be directed towards the center of the disk. The relationship between conductive heat flux and linear line polarization is determined using a function which represents the velocity distribution of electrons carrying heat flux. The relationship between linear polarization and heat flux is applied to the observed degree of polarization, which yields the conductive heat flux in the high chromosphere. It is determined that this conductive flux is of the order of magnitude of the total radiation loss in the chromosphere and below, which is also of the order of magnitude of the conductive flux in the transition zone.
Keywords:
SOLAR PHYSICS
Type:
(ISSN 0038-0938)
Format:
text
