Data-Constrained Modeling of Electron Transport and Asymmetric Precipitation in the 2011 August 4 Solar Flare

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Yu, Feiyu, Kong, Xiangliang, Zhong, Ze, Li, Zhentong, Jiang, Zelong, Cui, Yingli, Wu, Zhao, Chen, Yao, Li, Gang
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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_version_ 1866911651731603456
author Yu, Feiyu
Kong, Xiangliang
Zhong, Ze
Li, Zhentong
Jiang, Zelong
Cui, Yingli
Wu, Zhao
Chen, Yao
Li, Gang
author_facet Yu, Feiyu
Kong, Xiangliang
Zhong, Ze
Li, Zhentong
Jiang, Zelong
Cui, Yingli
Wu, Zhao
Chen, Yao
Li, Gang
contents Energetic electrons accelerated at coronal reconnection sites during solar flares precipitate into the lower solar atmosphere, generating nonthermal emissions and regulating energy deposition. However, how their transport and precipitation are jointly governed by the three-dimensional (3D) magnetic topology, turbulent scattering, and Coulomb collisions remains unclear. Here, we aim to disentangle these physical processes by using a data-constrained 3D particle transport model for the 2011 August 4 flare. The simulated distribution of precipitated electrons aligns closely with photospheric quasi-separatrix layers and reproduces the observed two-ribbon morphology in 1700~Å. We reveal a strong polarity asymmetry, with the 10~s precipitation fraction about six times higher in the weak positive polarity. This arises primarily from distinct mirror ratios of different polarities under the 3D magnetic configuration and can be understood via a modified escape probability for an asymmetric magnetic bottle. Varying strengths of turbulent scattering lead to a rise-then-fall trend and a pronounced energy dependence in the precipitation fraction. Coulomb collisions globally suppress precipitation, especially at low energies, and further amplify the polarity asymmetry. This integrated modeling framework bridges detailed transport physics to observable flare emissions and advances the development of quantitative models for realistic solar flare events.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_03380
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Data-Constrained Modeling of Electron Transport and Asymmetric Precipitation in the 2011 August 4 Solar Flare
Yu, Feiyu
Kong, Xiangliang
Zhong, Ze
Li, Zhentong
Jiang, Zelong
Cui, Yingli
Wu, Zhao
Chen, Yao
Li, Gang
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Energetic electrons accelerated at coronal reconnection sites during solar flares precipitate into the lower solar atmosphere, generating nonthermal emissions and regulating energy deposition. However, how their transport and precipitation are jointly governed by the three-dimensional (3D) magnetic topology, turbulent scattering, and Coulomb collisions remains unclear. Here, we aim to disentangle these physical processes by using a data-constrained 3D particle transport model for the 2011 August 4 flare. The simulated distribution of precipitated electrons aligns closely with photospheric quasi-separatrix layers and reproduces the observed two-ribbon morphology in 1700~Å. We reveal a strong polarity asymmetry, with the 10~s precipitation fraction about six times higher in the weak positive polarity. This arises primarily from distinct mirror ratios of different polarities under the 3D magnetic configuration and can be understood via a modified escape probability for an asymmetric magnetic bottle. Varying strengths of turbulent scattering lead to a rise-then-fall trend and a pronounced energy dependence in the precipitation fraction. Coulomb collisions globally suppress precipitation, especially at low energies, and further amplify the polarity asymmetry. This integrated modeling framework bridges detailed transport physics to observable flare emissions and advances the development of quantitative models for realistic solar flare events.
title Data-Constrained Modeling of Electron Transport and Asymmetric Precipitation in the 2011 August 4 Solar Flare
topic Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.03380