D. J. Pascoe

Coupled Alfvén and Kink Oscillations in Coronal Loops

Observations have revealed ubiquitous transverse velocity perturbation waves propagating in the solar corona. However, there is ongoing discussion regarding their interpretation as kink or Alfven waves. To investigate the nature of transverse waves propagating in the solar corona and their potential for use as a coronal diagnostic in MHD seismology, we perform three-dimensional numerical simulations of footpoint-driven transverse waves propagating in a low β plasma. We consider the cases of both a uniform medium and one with loop-like density structure and perform a parametric study for our structuring parameters. When density structuring is present, resonant absorption in inhomogeneous layers leads to the coupling of the kink mode to the Alfven mode. The decay of the propagating kink wave as energy is transferred to the local Alfven mode is in good agreement with a modified interpretation of the analysis of Ruderman & Roberts for standing kink modes. Numerical simulations support the most general interpretation of the observed loop oscillations as a coupling of the kink and Alfven modes. This coupling may account for the observed predominance of outward wave power in longer coronal loops since the observed damping length is comparable to our estimate based on an assumption of resonant absorption as the damping mechanism.

Propagating coupled Alfvén and kink oscillations in an arbitrary inhomogeneous corona

Observations have revealed ubiquitous transverse velocity perturbation waves propagating in the solar corona. We perform three-dimensional numerical simulations of footpoint-driven transverse waves propagating in a low β plasma. We consider the cases of distorted cylindrical flux tubes and a randomly generated inhomogeneous medium. When density structuring is present, mode coupling in inhomogeneous regions leads to the coupling of the kink mode to the Alfven mode. The decay of the propagating kink wave is observed as energy is transferred to the local Alfven mode. In all cases considered, modest changes in density were capable of efficiently converting energy from the driving footpoint motion to localized Alfven modes. We have demonstrated that mode coupling efficiently couples propagating kink perturbations to Alfven modes in an arbitrary inhomogeneous medium. This has the consequence that transverse footpoint motions at the base of the corona will deposit energy to Alfven modes in the corona.

Sausage oscillations of coronal loops

Aims. Analytical theory predicts the existence of trapped global (or fundamental) sausage fast magnetoacoustic modes in thick and dense coronal loops only, with the periods estimated as the ratio of double the loop length and the Alfven speed outside the loop. We extend this study to the leaking regime, considering global sausage modes of long loops with small density contrasts. Methods. Anti-symmetric fast magnetoacoustic perturbations (sausage, or m = 0 modes) of a low β plasma slab with the symmetric Epstein profile of plasma density are modelled numerically. Results. It was found that long loops with sufficiently small density contrast can support global sausage leaky modes of detectable quality. The periods of the leaky modes are found to be approximately determined by the loop length and the external Alfven speed. If the loop length can be estimated from imaging observations, the observed period of this mode provides us with the information about the Alfven speed outside the loop. For typical flaring coronal loops, the estimated periods of the global sausage modes are about 5−60 s.

Spatial damping of propagating kink waves due to mode coupling

Aims. We investigate the damping process for propagating transverse velocity oscillations, observed to be ubiquitous in the solar corona, due to mode coupling. Methods. We perform 3D numerical simulations of footpoint-driven transverse waves propagating in a low β coronal plasma with a cylindrical density structure. Mode coupling in an inhomogeneous layer leads to the coupling of the kink mode to the Alfven mode, observed as the decay of the transverse kink oscillations. Results. We consider the spatial damping profile and find a Gaussian damping profile of the form exp(−z/Lg) to be the most congruent with our numerical data, rather than the exponential damping profile of the form exp(−z/Ld) used in normal mode analysis. Our results highlight that the nature of the driver itself will have a substantial influence on observed propagating kink waves. Conclusions. Our study suggests that this modified damping profile should be taken into account when using coronal seismology to infer local plasma properties from observed damped oscillations.

The Effects of Line-of-sight Integration on Multistrand Coronal Loop Oscillations

Observations have shown that transverse oscillations are present in a multitude of coronal structures. It is generally assumed that these oscillations are driven by (sub)surface footpoint motions. Using fully three-dimensional MHD simulations, we show that these footpoint perturbations generate propagating kink (Alfv´ enic) modes which couple very efficiently into (azimuthal) Alfv´ en waves. Using an ensemble of randomly distributed loops, driven by footpoint motions with random periods and directions, we compare the absolute energy in the numerical domain with the energy that is “visible” when integrating along the line of sight (LOS). We show that the kinetic energy derived from the LOS Doppler velocities is only a small fraction of the actual energy provided by the footpoint motions. Additionally, the superposition of loop structures along the LOS makes it nearly impossible to identify which structure the observed oscillations are actually associated with and could impact the identification of the mode of oscillation.

Damping of kink waves by mode coupling - II. Parametric study and seismology

Context. Recent observations of the corona reveal ubiquitous transverse velocity perturbations that undergo strong damping as they propagate. These can be understood in terms of propagating kink waves that undergo mode coupling in inhomogeneous regions. Aims. The use of these propagating waves as a seismological tool for the investigation of the solar corona depends upon an accurate understanding of how the mode coupling behaviour is determined by local plasma parameters. Our previous work suggests the exponential spatial damping profile provides a poor description of the behaviour of strongly damped kink waves. We aim to investigate the spatial damping profile in detail and provide a guide to the approximations most suitable for performing seismological inversions. Methods. We propose a general spatial damping profile based on analytical results that accounts for the initial Gaussian stage of damped kink waves as well as the asymptotic exponential stage considered by previous authors. The applicability of this profile is demonstrated by a full parametric study of the relevant physical parameters. The implication of this profile for seismological inversions is investigated. Results. The Gaussian damping profile is found to be most suitable for application as a seismological tool for observations of oscillations in loops with a low density contrast. This profile also provides accurate estimates for data in which only a few wavelengths or periods are observed.

Damping of kink waves by mode coupling - I. Analytical treatment

Aims. We investigate the spatial damping of propagating kink waves in an inhomogeneous plasma. In the limit of a thin tube surrounded by a thin transition layer, an analytical formulation for kink waves driven in from the bottom boundary of the corona is presented. Methods. The spatial form for the damping of the kink mode was investigated using various analytical approximations. When the density ratio between the internal density and the external density is not too large, a simple differential-integral equation was used. Approximate analytical solutions to this equation are presented. Results. For the first time, the form of the spatial damping of the kink mode is shown analytically to be Gaussian in nature near the driven boundary. For several wavelengths, the amplitude of the kink mode is proportional to (1+exp(−z 2 /L 2 ))/2, where L 2 = 16/�κ 2 k 2 . Although the actual value of 16 in Lg depends on the particular form of the driver, this form is very general and its dependence on the other parameters does not change. For large distances, the damping profile appears to be roughly linear exponential decay. This is shown analytically by a series expansion when the inhomogeneous layer width is small enough.

Sausage oscillations in loops with a non-uniform cross-section

Context. Flaring coronal loops are often observed in microwave and sometimes in soft X-rays, as extended structures of variable cross-section or width. The quasi-periodic pulsations associated with flaring coronal loops have been interpreted in terms of standing, fast sausage magnetoacoustic modes and suggested for the diagnostics of the magnetic field outside the oscillating loop. Aims. We investigate the effects of a non-uniform cross-section on a coronal loop with respect to the standing sausage modes it supports. Methods. Numerical simulations of standing sausage modes are performed for a straight, zero-β coronal loop with a varying crosssection. The global sausage mode and higher harmonics are considered, and simulations were performed for a range of density contrast ratios and loop divergence parameter. We consider modifications of the period of oscillation and the spatial profile of the standing modes. Results. As the loop divergence parameter increases, the period of the standing modes decreases. The fractional change period is independent of the density contrast ratio. The spatial profiles of the standing modes are modified by the cross-section inhomogeneity,but this effect is too weak to be observable by modern instruments. For the global sausage mode, the cross-section radius divergence by a factor of 2 is found to cause the decrease in the period of about 5%.

Fast magnetoacoustic wave trains in magnetic funnels of the solar corona

Context: Fast magneto-acoustic waves are highly dispersive in waveguides, so they can generate quasi-periodic wave trains if a localised, impulsive driver is applied. Such wave trains have been observed in the solar corona and may be of use as a seismological tool since they depend upon the plasma structuring perpendicular to the direction of propagation. Aims. We extend existing models of magnetoacoustic waveguides to consider the effects of an expanding magnetic field. The funnel geometry employed includes a field-aligned density structure. Methods: We performed 2D numerical simulations of impulsively generated fast magneto-acoustic perturbations. The effects of the density contrast ratio, density stratification, and spectral profile of the driver upon the excited wave trains were investigated. Results: The density structure acts as a dispersive waveguide for fast magneto-acoustic waves and generates a quasi-periodic wave train similar to previous models. The funnel geometry leads to generating additional wave trains that propagate outside the density structure. These newly discovered wave trains are formed by the leakage of transverse perturbations, but they propagate upwards owing to the refraction caused by the magnetic funnel. Conclusions: The results of our funnel model may be applicable to wave trains observed propagating in the solar corona. They demonstrate similar properties to those found in our simulations.

Observation of a high-quality quasi-periodic rapidly propagating wave train using SDO/AIA

Context. We present a new event of quasi-periodic wave trains observed in EUV wavebands that rapidly propagate away from an active region after a flare. Aims. We measured the parameters of a wave train observed on 7 December 2013 after an M1.2 flare, such as the phase speeds, periods and wavelengths, in relationship to the local coronal environment and the energy sources. Methods. We compared our observations with a numerical simulation of fast magnetoacoustic waves that undergo dispersive evolution and leakage in a coronal loop embedded in a potential magnetic field. Results. The wave train is observed to propagate as several arc-shaped intensity disturbances for almost half an hour, with a speed greater than 1000 km s-1 and a period of about 1 min. The wave train followed two different patterns of propagation, in accordance with the magnetic structure of the active region. The oscillatory signal is found to be of high-quality, i.e. there is a large number (10 or more) of subsequent wave fronts observed. The observations are found to be consistent with the numerical simulation of a fast wave train generated by a localised impulsive energy release. Conclusions. Transverse structuring in the corona can efficiently create and guide high-quality quasi-periodic propagating fast wave trains.