M. Loukitcheva

Millimeter observations and chromospheric dynamics

The intensities of submillimeter and millimeter continua, which are formed in LTE and depend linearly on tem- perature, may be able to provide a test of models of the Solar chromosphere. We have taken a collection of submillimeter and millimeter wave observed brightness temperatures Tb of the quiet Sun from the literature and compared it with brightness temperatures computed from the standard static models of Fontenla, Avrett and Loeser (FAL ) and the dynamic simulations of Carlsson &S tein (CS). The analysis of the dynamic simulations of Carlsson & Stein reveals that radio emission at millimeter wavelengths is extremely sensitive to dynamic processes in the chromosphere, if these are spatially and temporally resolved. The most striking result is that the dynamic picture of the solar internetwork chromosphere is consistent with currently available millimeter and submillimeter brightness observations. The spectrum obtained by averaging over the spectra from all time-steps of CS simulations provides a good fit to observed temporally and spatially averaged millimeter data in spite of the absence of a permanent temperature rise at low chromospheric heights in the simulations. This does not by itself rule out the presence of a chromospheric temperature rise as present in the FAL models, since a combination of such models also reproduces the (low resolution) data relatively well. Millimeter observations indicate that using radio techniques it is possible to extend observations of the solar oscillatory component to the heights above those previously observed in the photospheric and low chromospheric spectral lines and submillimeter continuum. For more precise diagnostics of chromospheric dynamics, high temporal and spatial resolution interferometric observations in the millimeter-wavelength region would be particularly useful.

Solar Science with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array—A New View of Our Sun

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is a new powerful tool for observing the Sun at high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution. These capabilities can address a broad range of fundamental scientific questions in solar physics. The radiation observed by ALMA originates mostly from the chromosphere—a complex and dynamic region between the photosphere and corona, which plays a crucial role in the transport of energy and matter and, ultimately, the heating of the outer layers of the solar atmosphere. Based on first solar test observations, strategies for regular solar campaigns are currently being developed. State-of-the-art numerical simulations of the solar atmosphere and modeling of instrumental effects can help constrain and optimize future observing modes for ALMA. Here we present a short technical description of ALMA and an overview of past efforts and future possibilities for solar observations at submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths. In addition, selected numerical simulations and observations at other wavelengths demonstrate ALMA’s scientific potential for studying the Sun for a large range of science cases.

High-resolution millimeter-interferometer observations of the solar chromosphere

The use of millimeter-interferometer data for the study of chromospheric structure and dynamics is tested using 85 GHz observations with the 10-element Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Array (BIMA). Interferometer data have the advantage over single-dish data that they allow both high spatial resolution and dense temporal sampling simultaneously. However, snapshot imaging of the quiet solar atmosphere with a small number of dishes is challenging. We demonstrate that techniques are available to carry out this task successfully using maximum entropy deconvolution from a default image constructed from the entire observation: one of our results is that the solar chromosphere at millimeter wavelengths exhibits features that are long-lasting and the map of the entire observation is significant provided that atmospheric phase errors do not prevent deconvolution. We compare observations of quiet Sun, active region and coronal hole targets. The interferometer is not sensitive to the disk emission and the positivity constraint of the maximum entropy algorithm used forces the zero level in the images to be at the temperature of the coolest feature in each field. The brightest features in the images are typically 1000–1500 K above the zero level, with a snapshot noise level of order 100 K. We use extensive tests to determine whether oscillation power can be recovered from sequences of snapshot images and show that individual sources can be down to quite weak levels at locations in the image where significant flux is present; oscillation power located in cool regions of the image is not well recovered due to the deconvolution method used and may be redistributed to brighter regions of the millimeter image. We then investigate whether the data do show oscillation power using uninterrupted 30-min scans of the target regions. Intensity oscillations with significant power in the frequency range 1.5–8.0 mHz are found in the quiet-Sun and active region targets. For the quiet-Sun region we compare the oscillation properties of network boundaries and cell interiors (internetwork) in the spatially-resolved time series. In agreement with investigations at other wavelengths, in the millimeter data the power in the network tends to be at periods of 5 min and longer while power in the internetwork is present also at shorter (3-min) periods.

The chromosphere above sunspots at millimeter wavelengths

Aims. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that millimeter wave data can be used to distinguish between various atmospheric models of sunspots, whose temperature structure in the upper photosphere and chromosphere has been the source of some controversy. Methods. We use observations of the temperature contrast (relative to the quiet Sun) above a sunspot umbra at 3.5 mm obtained with the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Array (BIMA), complemented by submm observations from Lindsey & Kopp (1995 )a nd 2 cm observations with the Very Large Array. These are compared with the umbral contrast calculated from various atmospheric models of sunspots. Results. Current mm and submm observational data suggest that the brightness observed at these wavelengths is low compared to the most widely used sunspot models. These data impose strong constraints on the temperature and density stratifications of the sunspot umbral atmosphere, in particular on the location and depth of the temperature minimum and the location of the transition region. Conclusions. A successful model that is in agreement with millimeter umbral brightness should have an extended and deep temperature minimum (below 3000 K). Better spatial resolution as well as better wavelength coverage are needed for a more complete determination of the chromospheric temperature stratification above sunspot umbrae.

Millimeter radiation from a 3D model of the solar atmosphere - II. Chromospheric magnetic field

Aims. We use state-of-the-art, three-dimensional non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) radiative magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the quiet solar atmosphere to carry out detailed tests of chromospheric magnetic field diagnostics from free-free radiation at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths (mm/submm).Methods. The vertical component of the magnetic field was deduced from the mm/submm brightness spectra and the degree of circular polarization synthesized at millimeter frequencies. We used the frequency bands observed by the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) as a convenient reference. The magnetic field maps obtained describe the longitudinal magnetic field at the effective formation heights of the relevant wavelengths in the solar chromosphere.Results. The comparison of the deduced and model chromospheric magnetic fields at the spatial resolution of both the model and current observations demonstrates a good correlation, but has a tendency to underestimate the model field. The systematic discrepancy of about 10% is probably due to averaging of the restored field over the heights contributing to the radiation, weighted by the strength of the contribution. On the whole, the method of probing the longitudinal component of the magnetic field with free-free emission at mm/submm wavelengths is found to be applicable to measurements of the weak quiet-Sun magnetic fields. However, successful exploitation of this technique requires very accurate measurements of the polarization properties (primary beam and receiver polarization response) of the antennas, which will be the principal factor that determines the level to which chromospheric magnetic fields can be measured. Conclusions. Consequently, high-resolution and high-precision observations of circularly polarized radiation at millimeter wavelengths can be a powerful tool for producing chromospheric longitudinal magnetograms.

SSALMON: The Solar Simulations for the Atacama Large Millimeter Observatory Network

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) will be a valuable tool for observing the chromosphere of our Sun at (sub-)millimeter wavelengths at high spatial, temporal and spectral resolution and as such has great potential to address long-standing scientific questions in solar physics. In order to make the best use of this scientific opportunity, the Solar Simulations for the Atacama Large Millimeter Observatory Network has been initiated. A key goal of this international collaboration is to support the preparation and interpretation of future observations of the Sun with ALMA.

Solar ALMA Observations: Constraining the Chromosphere above Sunspots

We present the first high-resolution Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations of a sunspot at wavelengths of 1.3 mm and 3 mm, obtained during the solar ALMA Science Verification campaign in 2015, and compare them with the predictions of semi-empirical sunspot umbral/penumbral atmosphere models. For the first time millimeter observations of sunspots have resolved umbral/penumbral brightness structure at the chromospheric heights, where the emission at these wavelengths is formed. We find that the sunspot umbra exhibits a radically different appearance at 1.3 mm and 3 mm, whereas the penumbral brightness structure is similar at the two wavelengths. The inner part of the umbra is ~600 K brighter than the surrounding quiet Sun (QS) at 3 mm and is ~700 K cooler than the QS at 1.3 mm, being the coolest part of sunspot at this wavelength. On average, the brightness of the penumbra at 3 mm is comparable to the QS brightness, while at 1.3 mm it is ~1000 K brighter than the QS. Penumbral brightness increases towards the outer boundary in both ALMA bands. Among the tested umbral models, that of Severino et al. (1994) provides the best fit to the observational data, including both the ALMA data analyzed in this study and data from earlier works. No penumbral model amongst those considered here gives a satisfactory fit to the currently available measurements. ALMA observations at multiple mm wavelengths can be used for testing existing sunspot models, and serve as an important input to constrain new empirical models.

Chromosphere above sunspots as seen at millimeter wavelengths

Millimeter emission is known to be a sensitive diagnostic of temperature and density in the solar chromosphere. In this work we use millimeter wave data to distinguish between various atmospheric models of sunspots, whose temperature structure in the upper photosphere and chromosphere has been the source of some controversy. From mm brightness simulations we expect a radio umbra to change its appearance from dark to bright (compared to the Quiet Sun) at a given wavelength in the millimeter spectrum (depending on the exact temperature in the model used). Thereby the millimeter brightness observed above an umbra at several wavelengths imposes strong constraints on temperature and density stratification of the sunspot atmosphere, in particular on the location and depth of the temperature minimum and the location of the transition region. Current mm/submm observational data suggest that brightness observed at short wavelengths is unexpectedly low compared to the most widely used sunspot models such as of Maltby et al . (1986). A successful model that is in agreement with millimeter umbral brightness should have an extended and deep temperature minimum (below 3000 K), such as in the models of Severino et al . (1994). However, we are not able to resolve the umbra cleanly with the presently available observations and better resolution as well as better wavelength coverage are needed for accurate diagnostics of umbral brightness at millimeter wavelengths. This adds one more scientific objective for the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA).

On the Relation Between Photospheric Magnetic Field and Chromospheric Emission in the Quiet Sun

In this contribution we present an observational study of the interaction of the photosphere with different chromospheric layers. We study the correlations between emissions at varying temperature from the temperature minimum region (UV continuum at 1600 A from TRACE) through the low chromosphere (CaII K-line from BBSO) to the middle chromosphere (continuum at 3.5 mm from BIMA) and photospheric magnetic field from MDI/SOHO. For the first time millimeter observational data are included in such analysis. We report a high degree of correlation between considered emissions formed at different heights in the chromosphere. A power law is found to be a good representation for the relationship between photospheric magnetic field and chromospheric emissions at all considered wavelengths. Our analysis shows that the dependence of chromospheric intensities on magnetic field is different for the network and internetwork regions. In the network a power law provides the best fit with the exponent being close to 0.5–0.6, while almost no dependence of chromospheric intensity on magnetic flux is found for the cell interiors. The obtained results support the idea of different heating mechanisms acting in the network (magnetic) and cell interiors (acoustic).

Acoustic shock waves in the solar chromosphere from millimeter observations

We argue that millimeter continuum observations promise to be an important diagnostic of chromospheric dynamics and the appropriate wavelengths to look for dynamic signatures are in the range 0.8–5.0 mm. We have analyzed the millimeter intensity spectrum expected from the dynamic model of the solar non-magnetic atmosphere of Carlsson & Stein (1992, 1995, 1997, 2002, hereafter CS) together with the interferometric observations of the quiet Sun obtained at a wavelength of 3.5 mm with the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Array. Model radio emission at millimeter wavelengths is found to be extremely sensitive to dynamic processes in the chromosphere, if these are spatially and temporally resolved. The estimated millimeter brightness temperatures are time-dependent, following changes in the atmospheric parameters, and result in clear signatures of waves with a period of 180 s seen in the radio intensity as a function of time. At the same time, the interferometric observations of the internetwork regions reveal significant oscillations with amplitudes of 50–150 K in the frequency range 1.5–8 mHz. We give an estimate of the influence of the limited available spatial resolution of observations on the comparison with the predictions of dynamic models. We are able to establish a correspondence between the CS model predictions and the observational data if we assume that the horizontal coherence length of the oscillations is on the order of 1 arcsec.