Energetic particle activity in AD Leo: Detection of a solar-like type-IV burst

Abstract

Context. AD Leo is a young and active M dwarf with high flaring rates across the X-ray-to-radio bands. Flares accelerate particles in the outer coronal layers and often impact exo-space weather. Wide-band radio dynamic spectra let us explore the evolution of particle acceleration activity across the corona. Identifying the emission features and modelling the mechanisms can provide insights into the possible physical scenarios driving the particle acceleration processes. Aims. We performed an 8 h monitoring of AD Leo across the 550-850 MHz band using upgraded-Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT). The possible flare and post-flare emission mechanisms are explored based on the evolution of flux density and polarisation. Methods. The python-based module, Visibility Averaged Dynamic spectrum (VISAD), was developed to obtain the visibility-averaged wide-band dynamic spectra. Direct imaging was also performed with different frequency-time averaging. Based on existing observational results on AD Leo and on solar active region models, radial profiles of electron density and magnetic fields were derived. Applying these models, we explored the possible emission mechanisms and magnetic field profile of the flaring active region. Results. The star displayed a high brightness temperature (TB≈ 1010−1011 K) throughout the observation. The emission was also nearly 100% left circularly polarised during bursts. The post-flare phase was characterised by a highly polarised (60–80%) solar-like type IV burst confined above 700 MHz. Conclusions. The flare emission favours a Z-mode or a higher harmonic X-mode electron cyclotron maser emission mechanism. The >700 MHz post-flare activity is consistent with a type-IV radio burst from flare-accelerated particles trapped in magnetic loops, which could be a coronal mass ejection (CME) signature. This is the first solar-like type-IV burst reported on a young active M dwarf belonging to a different age-related activity population (‘C’ branch) compared to the Sun (‘I’ branch). We also find that a multipole expansion model of the active region magnetic field better accounts for the observed radio emission than a solar-like active region profile.