This article is cited in 3 papers

REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS

Modern analytic models of acceleration and propagation of electrons in solar flares

P. A. Gritsyk, B. V. Somov

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Sternberg Astronomical Institute

Abstract: We review the current state of the kinetic theory of acceleration and propagation of energetic (thermal and nonthermal) electrons during solar flares. The classical models of a thick target, together with their extension to models that take the reverse current effect and the acceleration of electrons in collapsing magnetic traps into account, are discussed in detail. Analytic solutions of the corresponding kinetic equations are found and used to calculate the characteristics of the hard X-ray bremsstrahlung generated by energetic electrons. The results obtained are compared with modern high-precision data from satellite observations of solar flares. The radiation polarization degree is calculated and the prospects for its measurement in future space experiments are discussed.

Keywords: Sun, solar flares, electron acceleration, kinetic equation, collision integral, bremsstrahlung, polarization.

PACS: 96.60.-j, 96.60.Iv, 96.60.qe, 96.60.Tf

Received: July 28, 2021
Revised: August 20, 2021
Accepted: August 27, 2021

DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2021.08.039048

 English version: Physics–Uspekhi, 2023, 66:5, 437–459

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