Time evolutions of relaxation of temperature profiles during the cooling of solar prominences are examined based on MALI 1D slab model code written by Petr Heinzel in Fortran. The relaxation is investigated under the assumption of partial redistribution in H, CaII and MgII lines. The effect of conduction and ambipolar diffusion on the slab relaxation is also studied. 1

Yes / In this work we study the association between eruptive filaments/prominences and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) using machine learning-based algorithms that analyse the solar data available between January 1996 and December 2001. The Support Vector Machine (SVM) learning algorithm is used for the purpose of knowledge extraction from the association results. The aim is to identify patterns of associations that can be represented using SVM learning rules for the subsequent use in near real-time and reliable CME prediction systems. Timing and location data in the NGDC filament catalogue and the SOHO/LASCO CME catalogue are processed to associate filaments with CMEs. In the previous studies which classified CMEs into gradual and impulsive CMEs, the associations were refined based on CME speed and acceleration. Then the associated pairs were refined manually to increase the accuracy of the training dataset. In the current study, a data- mining system has been created to process and associate filament and CME data, which are arranged in numerical training vectors. Then the data are fed to SVMs to extract the embedded knowledge and provide the learning rules that could have the potential, in the future, to provide automated predictions of CMEs. The features representing the event time (average of the start and end times), duration, type and extent of the filaments are extracted from all the associated and not-associated filaments and converted to a numerical format that is suitable for SVM use. Several validation and verification methods are used on the extracted dataset to determine if CMEs can be predicted solely and efficiently based on the associated filaments. More than 14000 experiments are carried out to optimise the SVM and determine the input features that provide the best performance.

Increasing observational evidence of wave modes brings us to a closer understanding of the solar corona. Coronal seismology allows us to combine wave observations and theory to determine otherwise unknown parameters. The period ratio, P₁/2P₂, between the period P₁ of the fundamental mode and the period P₂ of its first overtone is one such tool of coronal seismology and its departure from unity provides information about the structure of the corona. In this thesis we consider the period ratio P₁/2P₂ of coronal loops from a theoretical standpoint. Previous theory and observations indicate that the period ratio is likely to be less than unity for oscillations of coronal loops. We consider the role of damping and density structuring on the period ratio. In Chapter 2 we consider analytically the one-dimensional wave equation with the inclusion of a generic damping term for both uniform and non-uniform media. Results suggest that the period ratio is dominated by longitudinal structuring rather than damping. In Chapter 3 we consider analytically the effects of thermal conduction and compressive viscosity on the period ratio for a longitudinally propagating sound wave. We find that damping by either thermal conduction or compressive viscosity typically has a small effect on the period ratio. For coronal values of thermal conduction the effect on the period ratio is negligible. For compressive viscosity the effect on the period ratio may become important for some short hot loops. In Chapter 4 we extend the analysis of Chapter 3 to include radiative cooling and find that it too has a negligible effect on the period ratio for typical coronal values. As an extension to the investigation, damping rates are considered for thermal conduction, compressive viscosity and radiative cooling. The damping time is found to be optimal for each mechanism in a different temperature range, namely below 1 MK for radiative cooling, 2 − 6 MK for thermal conduction and above 6 MK for compressive viscosity. In Chapter 5 we consider analytically the period ratio for the fast kink, sausage and n = N modes of a magnetic slab, discussing both an Epstein density profile and a simple step function profile. We find that transverse density structuring in the form of an Epstein profile or a step function profile may contribute to the shift of the period ratio for long thin slab-like structures. The similarity in the behaviour of the period ratio for both profiles means either can be used as a robust model. We consider also other profiles numerically for the kink mode, which are found to be either slab-like or Epstein-like suggesting again that it is not necessary to distinguish the nature of the density profile when considering the period ratio.

This thesis studies the acceleration of particles to super-thermal energies in explosive solar events as well as the magnetic changes in connectivity that may be responsible for changes in the morphology of quiescent filaments. Firstly a review of some of the observations of solar flare dynamics is given, as well as an introduction to the competing theories attempting to explain both particle acceleration and filament formation. An explanation of the numerical FORTRAN code that is used to calculate the trajectories of particle distribution functions in prescribed electromagnetic fields is given. Examples of known fields are used to test the accuracy of the code and the simple example of the well-known Litvinenko current sheet field is investigated. The results of charged particle orbit calculations in prescribed electric and magnetic fields motivated by magnetic reconnection models are then presented. The electromagnetic fields are chosen to resemble a current sheet with a localised reconnection region. The dependence of the model on the important physical parameters is considered. An introduction to the mathematical formulation of a collapsing magnetic trap is given. The same numerical code is used to calculate single electron orbits in this more complicated time dependent electromagnetic field. Consideration of important previous work is given before describing the best attempts to model the movement of flare loops in a realistic fashion. Finally the process of flux cancellation and filament formation is studied using a range of data including ground-based Hα and SoHO MDI magnetograms. It is found that the cancellation occurs at the ends of Hα sections of the filament and is accompanied by a noticeable increase in the Hα intensity and linkage of the sections. Measurements of the amount of flux cancelled at each site show it is in agreement with an estimate of the axial flux contained in the filament.

Magnetic fields are fundamental to the structure and dynamics of the Sun’s corona. Observations show them to be locally complex, with highly sheared and twisted fields visible in solar filaments/prominences. The free magnetic energy contained in such fields is the primary source of energy for coronal mass ejections, which are important—but still poorly understood drivers of space weather in the near-Earth environment. In this thesis, a new model is developed for the evolution of the large-scale magnetic field in the global solar corona. The model is based on observations of the radial magnetic field on the solar photosphere (visible surface). New active regions emerge, and their transport and dispersal by surface motions are simulated accurately with a surface flux transport model. The 3D coronal magnetic field is evolved in response to these photospheric motions using a magneto-frictional technique. The resulting sequence of nonlinear force-free equilibria traces the build-up of magnetic helicity and free energy over many months. The global model is applied to study two phenomena: filaments and coronal mass ejections. The magnetic field directions in a large sample of observed filaments are compared with a 6-month simulation. Depending on the twist of newly-emerging active regions, the correct chirality is simulated for up to 96% of filaments tested. On the basis of these simulations, an explanation for the observed hemispheric pattern of filament chirality is put forward, including why exceptions occur for filaments in certain locations. Twisted magnetic flux ropes develop in the simulations, often losing equilibrium and lifting off, removing helicity. The physical basis for such losses of equilibrium is demonstrated through 2D analytical models. In the 3D global simulations, the twist of emerging regions is a key parameter controlling the number of lift-offs, which may explain around a third of observed coronal mass ejections.

In this Thesis the theoretical understanding of oscillations in coronal structures is developed. In particular, coronal loops are modelled as magnetic slabs of plasma. The effect of introducing inhomogeneities on the frequency of oscillation is studied. Current observations indicate the existence of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes in the corona, so there is room for improved modelling of these modes to understand the physical processes more completely. One application of the oscillations, on which this Thesis concentrates, is coronal seismology. Here, the improved theoretical models are applied to observed instances of coronal MHD waves with the aim of determining information regarding the medium in which these waves propagate. In Chapter two, the effect of gravity on the frequency of the longitudinal slow MHD mode is considered. A thin, vertical coronal slab of magnetised plasma, with gravity acting along the longitudinal axis of the slab is studied, and the effect on the frequency of oscillation for the uniform, stratified and structured cases is addressed. In particular, an isothermal plasma, a two-layer plasma and a plasma with a linear temperature profile are studied. Here, a thin coronal loop, with its footpoints embedded in the chromosphere-photosphere is modelled, and the effects introduced by both gravity and the structuring of density at the footpoint layers are studied. In this case, gravity increases the frequency of oscillation and causes amplification of the eigenfunctions by stratification. Furthermore, density enhancements at the footpoints cause a decrease in the oscillating frequency, and can inhibit wave propagation, depending on the parameter regime. In Chapter three, the effects introduced to the transverse fast MHD mode when gravity acts across a thin coronal slab of magnetised plasma are considered. This study concentrates on the modification of the frequency due to the dynamical effect of gravity in the equation of motion, neglecting the effect of stratification. Here, gravity causes a reduction of the oscillating frequency of the fundamental fast mode, and increases the lower cutoff frequency. In effect, for this configuration, gravity allows the transition between body and surface modes, in a slab geometry. It is found, in these two studies, that each harmonic is affected in a unique manner due to structuring or stratification of density. With this knowledge, in Chapter four, a new parameter is derived; P1/2P2, the ratio of the period of the fundamental harmonic of oscillation to twice the period of its first harmonic. This parameter is shown to be a measure of the longitudinal structuring of density along a coronal loop, and the departure of this ratio from unity can yield information regarding the lengthscales of the structure. This process is highlighted using the known observations, indicating that P1/2P2 may prove to be a useful diagnostic tool for coronal seismology. Finally, in Chapter five, outwardly propagating coronal slow MHD modes are observed and are used to infer coronal parameters. The possibility of using these oscillations to infer near-resolution lengthscales in coronal loops -- fine-scale strands -- is also discussed. TRACE observations are used to determine the average period, phase speed, detection length, amplitude and energy flux for the propagating slow MHD mode. The indication is that the source of these oscillations appears very localised in space, and the driver only acts for a few periods, suggesting the perturbations are driven by leaky p-modes (solar surface modes).

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第22254号 / 理博第4568号 / 新制||理||1656(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科物理学・宇宙物理学専攻 / (主査)教授 一本 潔, 准教授 浅井 歩, 教授 柴田 一成 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM