Igor A. Zhitnik

The TESIS experiment on the CORONAS-PHOTON spacecraft

On February 26, 2009, the first data was obtained in the TESIS experiment on the research of the solar corona using imaging spectroscopy. The TESIS is a part of the scientific equipment of the CORONAS-PHO-TON spacecraft and is designed for imaging the solar corona in soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet regions of the spectrum with high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions at altitudes from the transition region to three solar radii. The article describes the main characteristics of the instrumentation, management features, and operation modes.

XUV observations of solar corona in the spirit experiment on board the coronas-F satellite

The images of the solar corona from the limb out to the distance of about 5 solar radii have been obtained for the firs time in the XUV narrow spectral bands and monochromatic lines in the current experiment SPIRIT (SPectroheliographIc soft X-Ray Imaging Telescope). This paper presents the examples of images for the Suns “quiet” atmosphere as well as for some transient and eruptive events in the corona to illustrate the performance of the instrumentation and to point out the way for future studies. The data obtained will be used for diagnostic purposes and modeling of solar wind acceleration, coronal plasma structures and various active phenomena in the solar corona.

Diagnostics of the inner corona by XUV-imaging of the sun

Results of solar observations in the XUV-region by means of the telescope TEREK aboard the “Phobos-1” spacecraft are presented. Images of the Sun in the HeII 30,4 nm and FeIX-FeXI 17–18 nm lines were obtained with new types of optical elements — multilayer normal incidence XUV-mirrors and CCD-detectors. About 140 images were obtained with an angular resolution up to 15″ and with exposure times 0.1 to 40 s. In the images one sees the structures in the transition layer from corona to chromosphere which has temperatures in the range 5×104 – 1×106 K as well as in the polar and equatorial coronal holes. Besides, a unique phenomenon — a “blob” in outer corona at a distance about 2 solar radii has been observed. Processing of the data revealed a complex correlation between the XUV-images and the magnetic field structure in the photosphere.

Investigation of the Mg XII 8.42 Å doublet in solar flare spectra

The intensity ratio of the components of the Mg xii 8.42 Å (1s2S1/2 − 2p2P1/2, 3/2) doublet in solar flare spectra has been investigated using observations recorded from the Intercosmos 7 satellite. The observed values of the ratio fall within the interval 0.38–0.66 and have been compared with recent theoretical predictions based on an optically thin collisional-radiative model. It has been found that for the flare plasma the low values of the ratio cannot be explained since they fall below the smallest theoretical value. The highest values on the other hand require that an unacceptably high electron density be postulated. It is suggested that both high and low values may be caused by the resonance line scattering of the Mg xii quanta in the flare volume, provided that the volume is elongated and not spherical.The intensity of the nearby satellite lines is also investigated. Good agreement between the theoretical and observed intensities is found.

Spectral filtration of XUV radiation with the help of thin film filters in the TEREK-C solar telescope and RES-C spectroheliograph

The characteristics of different types of thin film XUV filters for the TEREK-C solar telescope and the REC-C spectroheliograph developed in the framework of the CORONAS-I program are presented. We describe the design and properties of Al-Formvar composite filters on rigid mesh supports with a spacing of 0.7 mm and 2 mm, which have been mounted in front of the XUV spectral channels of both instruments. It was proposed to use thin films of SiC as bandpass filters with high transparency in the 13 - 30 nm spectral region and effective cutoff blocking of strong solar Lα (121.7 nm) line radiation. The Al and SiC thin films on fine porous polymer membranes with through pores were placed in close proximity of the entrance plane of the image detectors, designed as a combination of open type microchannel plate and CCD-matrix. The problem of elimination of the influence of diffraction effects on X-ray images in the telescope focal plane is considered. All filters have sustained without damage the launching overloads (the launch took place on March 12, 1994) and successfully worked in the TEREK-C and the RES-C instruments.

Analysis of the high resolution Mg xi X-ray spectra: II. Physical parameters of the plasma in active region Mcmath 14352

In this paper, the second in a series dealing with high-resolution spectra (9.14–9.33 Å) measured on board the INTERCOSMOS-16 satellite, the analysis of the physical conditions in the coronal part of the McMath 14352 active region is performed. The temperature structure of the emitting plasma is investigated on the basis of the photon fluxes measured in six selected wavelength bands involving the resonance, intercombination, and forbidden lines of the Mg xi ion and a number of satellite lines. Relative line intensities are discussed in terms of the active region plasma density.

Multi-wavelength observations of CME-associated structures on the Sun with the CORONAS-F/SPIRIT EUV telescope

Multi-wavelength imaging of the solar corona is a powerful observational method to study CME-related dynamics of structures in spectral bands related to the solar corona and transition region. We analyze large-scale eruptive events caused by halo-type CMEs observed at the solar disk with the CORONAS-F/SPIRIT (175, 304, and 284 Å) and SOHO/EIT telescopes on November 4, 2001 and October–November, 2003. For most events, CME-associated dimmings coincide in different bands, but the 304 Å dimming in November 4, 2001 event was delayed by > 1/2 hours. In October–November events, coronal waves were observed in 195 Å and some in 175 Å channel. In a CME event associated with a filament eruption on November 18, the SPIRIT images display a propagating disturbance seen as a darkening in 304 Å channel only. This phenomenon was not described earlier.

Prospects of fast neutron radiography based on portable neutron generators

The aim of this work was to investigate experimentally feasibility of realizing and prospects of real time fast neutron radiography with a portable neutron generator and a luminescent CCD-detector. Description of the used equipment and examples of radiographic images are presented. Perspective application of the equipment for visualizing light materials shielded by heavy ones in the field of non- destructive inspection was demonstrated. Feasibility to exploit x-rays emission of portable generators was revealed as well.

SiC: filter for extreme ultraviolet

It is proposed to use thin films of silicon carbide as Extreme Ultraviolet bandpass filters transparent within 135-304 A band and with excellent cutoff blocking of the strong L(alpha ) 1216 A line radiation. Mesh or particle track porous membrane supporting 200-800 A thickness SiC filters have been made by RF sputtering techniques. We describe the design and performance of these filters. Such type SiC filter was used in front of the microchannel plate detector of the TEREK X-Ray Telescope mounted on the Solar Observatory CORONAS-I which was successfully launched on March 2, 1994.

Manufacture and testing of x-ray optical elements for the TEREK-C and RES-C instruments on the CORONAS-I mission

The paper describes the main characteristics of the X-ray optical elements (multilayer spherical and aspherical mirrors and diffraction gratings for the 13-30 nm XUV spectral region, Bragg crystal spherical mirrors for the 0.18 and 0.84 m soft X-ray spectral regions) manufactured for the TEREK-C solar XUV telescope array and the RES-C solar spectroheliograph. The TEREK-C and RES-C instruments were placed aboard the CORONAS-I satellite which was launched on March 2, 1994. The testing procedures and results of laboratory tests in X-ray spectral range are also presented.