59126004
The velocity structure of moving magnetic feature pairs around sunspots: support for the U-loop model
Context. Moving magnetic feature (MMF) pairs are among the most significant fine-scale structures around sunspots. Several models have been proposed to interpret the origin and evolution of MMF pairs. These models provide important clues to understanding MMF pairs. Aims. We present an analysis of the velocity structure of MMF pairs in order to put further constrains on the MMF models. Methods. Using continuum images, longitudinal magnetograms and Dopplergrams, recorded by the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) instrument on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), we have traced 123 pairs of opposite magnetic polarity moving magnetic features (MMFs) in three active regions NOAA ARs 8375, 0330 and 9575. At the time of observation, AR 8375 was young, AR 0330 mature, and AR 9575 decaying. Results. The vertical velocity, measured from MDI Dopplergrams for the three active regions, indicates that the elements of MMF pairs with polarity opposite to that of the sunspot support a downflow (Doppler redshift) of around 50-100 m s -1 . The average Doppler shift difference between negative and positive elements of an MMF pair is about 150 m s -1 in AR 8375, 100 m s -1 in AR 0330, and 20 m s -1 in AR 9575. These observational results are in agreement with the model where MMF pairs are part of a U-loop emanating from the sunspot's magnetic canopy. According to this model, the downflow is caused by the Evershed flow returning below the solar surface. For AR 8375, the horizontal velocity of MMFs ranges from 0.1 km s -1 to 0.7 km s -1 , and on average, the velocity of an MMF pair decreases significantly (from 0.6 km s -1 to 0.35 km s -1 ) with increasing distance from the MMF's birth place. In contrast, the decrease of the average velocity is far less obvious from 0.5 km s -1 to 0.4 km s -1 with increasing distance from the sunspot. This result suggests that the change in MMF flow speed does not reflect the radial structure of the moat flow, but rather is intrinsic to the evolution of the MMF pairs. This result is also in agreement with the U-loop model of MMF pairs. We also find that properties of MMF pairs, most strikingly the lifetime, depend on the evolution stages of the parent sunspot. The mean lifetimes of MMF pairs in ARs 9575 and 0330 are 0.7 h and 1.6 h, respectively, which is considerably shorter than the 4 h lifetime previously found for AR 8375.
119110634
Solar Intranetwork Magnetic Elements: Bipolar Flux Appearance
This study aims to quantify characteristic features of the bipolar flux appearance of solar intranetwork (IN) magnetic elements. To attack this problem, we use the Narrowband Filter Imager (NFI) magnetograms from the Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) on board Hinode; these data are from quiet and enhanced network areas. Cluster emergence of mixed polarities and IN ephemeral regions (ERs) are the most conspicuous forms of bipolar flux appearance within the network. Each of the clusters is characterized by a few well-developed ERs that are partially or fully coaligned in magnetic axis orientation. On average, the sampled IN ERs have a total maximum unsigned flux of several 1017 Mx, a separation of 3 – 4 arcsec, and a lifetime of 10 – 15 minutes. The smallest IN ERs have a maximum unsigned flux of several 1016 Mx, separations of less than 1 arcsec, and lifetimes as short as 5 minutes. Most IN ERs exhibit a rotation of their magnetic axis of more than 10 degrees during flux emergence. Peculiar flux appearance, e.g., bipole shrinkage followed by growth or the reverse, is not unusual. A few examples show repeated shrinkage–growth or growth–shrinkage, like magnetic floats in the dynamic photosphere. The observed bipolar behavior seems to carry rich information on magnetoconvection in the subphotospheric layer.
15057212
Mode selection mechanism and magnetic diffusivity in a non-axisymmetric solar dynamo model
The generation of solar non-axisymmetric magnetic fields is studied based on a linear � 2 − dynamo model in a rotating spherical frame. The model consists of a solarlike differential rotation, a magnetic diffusivity varied with depth, and three types of �-effects with different locations, i.e. the tachocline, the whole convective zone and the sub-surface. Some comparisons of the critical �-values of axisymmetric (m = 0) and longitude-dependent modes (m = 1,2,3) are presented to show the roles of the magnetic diffusivity in the problem of modes selection. With the changing of diffusivity intensity for the given solar differential rotation system, the dominant mode possibly changes likewise and the stronger the diffusivity is, the easier the non-axisymmetric modes are excited. The influence of the diffusivity and differential rotation on the configurations of the dominant modes are also presented.
119129472
Magnetic Evolution and Temperature Variation in a Coronal Hole
We have explored the magnetic flux evolution and temperature variation in a coronal hole region, using Big Bear Solar Observatory deep magnetograms and SOHO EIT images observed from 2005 October 10 to 14. For comparison, we also investigated a neighboring quiet region of the Sun. The coronal hole evolved from its mature stage to its disappearance during the observing period. We have obtained the following results: (1) When the coronal hole was well developed on October 10, about 60% of the magnetic flux was positive. The EUV brightness was 420 counts pixel-1, and the coronal temperature, estimated from the line ratio of the EIT 195 and 171 A images, was 1.07 MK. (2) On October 14, when the coronal hole had almost disappeared, 51% of the magnetic flux was positive, the EUV radiance was 530 counts pixel-1, and the temperature was 1.10 MK. (3) In the neighboring quiet region, the fraction of positive flux varied between 0.49 and 0.47. The EUV brightness displayed an irregular variation, with a mean value of 870 counts pixel-1. The temperature was almost constant at 1.11 MK during the 5 day observation. Our results demonstrate that in a coronal hole less imbalance of the magnetic flux in opposite polarities leads to stronger EUV brightness and higher coronal temperatures.
16400877
VECTOR MAGNETIC FIELDS OF SOLAR GRANULATION
Observations of the quiet Sun from the Solar Optical Telescope/Spectro-Polarimeter aboard the Hinode spacecraft reveal the magnetic characteristics of the solar photosphere. By making use of the deep-mode observations of three quiet regions, we have statistically studied the vector magnetic fields of solar granulation. More than 2000 normal granules are manually selected to form a sample. It is recognized that some granules are even darker than the mean photosphere in intensity, and there is a linear correlation between intensity and Doppler velocity in the granules. The distributions of longitudinal and transverse apparent magnetic flux densities, Doppler velocity, and continuum intensity of granules are obtained, and their unsigned magnetic flux measured. Two approaches are used in this study. First, we obtained the magnetic properties of granulation by averaging the measurements for all the sampling granules. Second, we reconstructed an average granular cell based on a subsample, and obtained the detailed distribution of apparent magnetic flux density within the model granular cell. All the results have been compared with those for intergranular lanes and a few typical abnormal granules. Our statistical analysis reveals the following results. (1) The unsigned magnetic flux of individual granules spans the range from 1.1 × 1015 Mx to 3.3 × 1018 Mx with a peak distribution at 1.6 × 1016 Mx. (2) The unsigned longitudinal apparent flux density of granules ranges from almost 0 to 212 Mx cm–2 with a mean longitudinal apparent flux density of 12 Mx cm–2, while the transverse apparent flux density of granules ranges from 4 to 218 Mx cm–2 with a mean transverse apparent flux density of 79 Mx cm–2. The longitudinal and transverse apparent magnetic flux densities of granules are positively correlated, and the longitudinal apparent flux density of granules is weaker than the corresponding transverse apparent flux density. (3) The magnetic inclination of granules with respect to the surface that is perpendicular to the line of sight falls in the range of 4.8-76.7 degrees with a peak distribution at 25 degrees. On average, the magnetic vectors in granules are more vertical than those in the intergranular lanes. (4) There is a strong preference that both the vertical and horizontal fields on the quiet Sun reside in the intergranular lanes. (5) The detailed distributions of apparent flux density, Doppler velocity, and continuum intensity within an average granular cell are presented. These distributions can be empirically formulated well.
14786946
The Properties of Horizontal Magnetic Elements in Quiet Solar Intranetwork
Using the data observed by the Solar Optical Telescope/Spectropolarimeter aboard the Hinode satellite, the horizontal and vertical fields are derived from the wavelength-integrated measures of Zeeman-induced linear and circular polarizations. The quiet intranetwork regions are pervaded by horizontal magnetic elements. We categorize the horizontal intranetwork magnetic elements into two types: one is the nonisolated element which is accompanied by the vertical magnetic elements during its evolution; another is the isolated element which is not accompanied by the vertical magnetic elements. Their properties, such as lifetime, size, and magnetic flux density, are studied, and the relationships among various magnetic parameters are investigated. We identify 446 horizontal intranetwork magnetic elements among them 87 elements are isolated and 359 are nonisolated. Quantitative measurements reveal that the isolated elements have relatively weaker horizontal magnetic fields, almost equal size, and shorter lifetime compared with the nonisolated elements. Most nonisolated horizontal intranetwork magnetic elements are identified to associate with the emergence of {omega}-shaped flux loops. A few nonisolated elements seem to indicate scenarios of submergence of {omega} loops or emergence of U-like loops. There is a positive correlation between the lifetime and the size for both the isolated and nonisolated horizontal intranetwork field elements (HIFs). Positivemore » correlation between the lifetime and the magnetic flux density for nonisolated HIFs is also found, but no correlation for isolated HIFs. Even though the horizontal elements show lower magnetic flux density, they could carry the total magnetic flux in the order of magnitude close to 10{sup 25} Mx to the solar surface each day.« less
59132262
Quantifying solar superactive regions with vector magnetic field observations
Context. The vector magnetic field characteristics of superactive regions (SARs) hold the key for understanding why SARs are extremely active and provide the guidance in space weather prediction. Aims. We aim to quantify the characteristics of SARs using the vector magnetograms taken by the Solar Magnetic Field Telescope at Huairou Solar Observatory Station. Methods. The vector magnetic field characteristics of 14 SARs in solar cycles 22 and 23 were analyzed using the following four parameters: 1) the magnetic flux imbalance between opposite polarities; 2) the total photospheric free magnetic energy; 3) the length of the magnetic neutral line with its steep horizontal magnetic gradient; and 4) the area with strong magnetic shear. Furthermore, we selected another eight large and inactive active regions (ARs), which are called fallow ARs (FARs), to compare them with the SARs. Results. We found that most of the SARs have a net magnetic flux higher than 7.0×10 21 Mx, a total photospheric free magnetic energy higher than 1.0 ×10 24 ergcm −1 , a magnetic neutral line with a steep horizontal magnetic gradient (≥300 GMm −1 ) longer than 30 Mm, and an area with strong magnetic shear (shear angle ≥80 ◦ ) greater than 100 Mm 2 . In contrast, the values of these parameters for the FARs are mostly very low. The Pearson χ 2 test was used to examine the significance of the difference between the SARs and FARs, and the results indicate that these two types of ARs can be fairly distinguished by each of these parameters. The significance levels are 99.55%, 99.98%, 99.98%, and 99.96%, respectively. However, no single parameter can distinguish them perfectly. Therefore we propose a composite index based on these parameters, and find that the distinction between the two types of ARs is also significant with a significance level of 99.96%. These results are useful for a better physical understanding of the SAR and FAR.
17263744
RF POWER SOURCES FOR LINEAR COLLIDERS
The next generation of linear colliders requires peak power sources of over 200 MW per meter at frequencies above 10 GHz at pulse widths of less than 100 nsec. Several power sources are under active development, including a conventional klystron with rf pulse compression, a relativistic klystron (RK) and a crossed-field amplifier. Power from one of these has energized a 0.5 meter two- section High Gradient Accelerator (HGA) and accelerated a beam at over 80 MeV meter. Results of tests with these experimental devices are presented here.
13663818
Overview of Current Progress on the LLNL Nuclear Photonics Facility and Mono-energetic Gamma-ray Source
A new class of ￻ -ray light source based on Compton scattering is made possible by recent progress in accelerator physics and laser technology. Mono-energetic ￻ -rays are produced from collisions between a highbrightness, relativistic electron beam and a high intensity laser pulse produced via chirped-pulse amplification (CPA). A precision, tunable ￻ -ray source driven by a compact, high-gradient X-band linac is currently under development and construction at LLNL. High-brightness, relativistic electron bunches produced by an X-band linac designed in collaboration with SLAC will interact with a Joule-class, 10 ps, diode-pumped CPA laser pulse to generate tunable gamma-rays in the 0.5-2.5 MeV photon energy range via Compton scattering. The source will be used to conduct nuclear resonance fluorescence experiments and address a broad range of current and emerging applications in nuclear photo-science. Users include homeland security, stockpile science and surveillance, nuclear fuel assay, and waste imaging and assay. The source design, key parameters, and current status are presented, along with important applications.
118352407
THE SUN'S SMALL-SCALE MAGNETIC ELEMENTS IN SOLAR CYCLE 23
With the unique database from the Michelson Doppler Imager on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory in an interval embodying solar cycle 23, the cyclic behavior of solar small-scale magnetic elements is studied. More than 13 million small-scale magnetic elements are selected, and the following results are found. (1) The quiet regions dominated the Sun's magnetic flux for about 8 years in the 12.25 year duration of cycle 23. They contributed (0.94-1.44) x10{sup 23} Mx flux to the Sun from the solar minimum to maximum. The monthly average magnetic flux of the quiet regions is 1.12 times that of the active regions in the cycle. (2) The ratio of quiet region flux to that of the total Sun equally characterizes the course of a solar cycle. The 6 month running average flux ratio of the quiet regions was larger than 90.0% for 28 continuous months from July 2007 to October 2009, which very well characterizes the grand solar minima of cycles 23-24. (3) From the small to the large end of the flux spectrum, the variations of numbers and total flux of the network elements show no correlation, anti-correlation, and correlation with sunspots, respectively. The anti-correlated elements, covering the fluxmore » of (2.9-32.0)x10{sup 18} Mx, occupy 77.2% of the total element number and 37.4% of the quiet-Sun flux. These results provide insight into the reason for anti-correlations of small-scale magnetic activity during the solar cycle.« less
118488744
Updated predictions for graviton and photon associated production at the LHC
Center for High Energy Physics, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, ChinaWe present updated predictions on the inclusive total cross sections, including the complete next-to-leading order QCD corrections, for the graviton and photon associated production process in thelarge extra dimensions model at the LHC with a center-of-mass energy of 7 and 8 TeV, using theparameters according to the requirements of the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations. Moreover, wealso discuss in detail the dependence on the transverse momentum cut and uncertainties due to thechoices of scales and parton distribution functions.