High-resolution observations with ARTEMIS-JLS and the NRH

Abstract

Aims. We study the characteristics of intermediate drift bursts (fibers) embedded in a large type-IV event. Methods. We used high-sensitivity, low-noise dynamic spectra obtained with the acousto-optic analyzer (SAO) of the ARTEMIS-JLS solar radiospectrograph, in conjunction with high time-resolution images from the Nançay radioheliograph (NRH) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images from the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) to study fiber bursts during the large solar event of July 14, 2000. We computed both 2D and 1D images and applied high pass time filtering to the images and the dynamic spectrum in order to enhance the fiber-associated emission. For the study of the background continuum emission we used images averaged over several seconds. Results. Practically all fibers visible in the SAO dynamic spectra are identifiable in the NRH images. Fibers were first detected after the primary energy release in a moving type-IV event, probably associated with the rapid eastward expansion of the flare and the post-flare loop arcade. We found that fibers appeared as a modulation of the continuum intensity with a root mean square value of the order of 10%. Both the fibers and the continuum were strongly circularly polarized in the ordinary mode sense, indicating plasma emission at the fundamental. We detected a number of discrete fiber emission sources along two parallel stripes of ∼300 Mm in length, apparently segments of large-scale loops encompassing both the EUV loops and the CME-associated flux rope. We found cases of multiple fiber emissions appearing at slightly different positions and times; their consecutive appearance can give the impression of apparent motion with supra-luminal velocities. Images of individual fibers were very similar at 432.0 and 327.0 MHz. From the position shift of the sources and the time delays at low and high frequencies, we estimated the exciter speed and the frequency scale length along the loops for a well-observed group of fibers; we obtained consistent values from imaging and spectral data, supporting the whistler origin of the fiber emission. Finally we found that fibers in emission and fibers in absorption are very similar, confirming that they are manifestations of the same wave train.