Electron Heat Conduction in the Solar Transition Region: Validity of the Classical Description

Details Electron Heat Conduction in the Solar Transition Region: Validity of the Classical Description Electron Heat Conduction in the Solar Transition Region: Validity of the Classical Description

Nov 1999

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999apj...525.1056l&link_type=abstract

The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 525, Issue 2, pp. 1056-1065.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

3

Conduction, Plasmas, Sun: Transition Region

Scientific paper

We have studied the transport of energy in the solar transition region, with the aim of finding out whether classical transport theory is applicable in this region. We use a test particle approximation, where test electrons move in a prescribed, background Maxwellian electron-proton plasma. This approximation is validated by comparing with the Spitzer-Härm result in the collision-dominated limit, where the Spitzer-Härm result should be valid. We find that the test particle approximation yields velocity distribution functions in good agreement with Spitzer and Härm, and the test particle energy flux is only 25% lower than the correct result. Then, applying the model to conditions believed to be found in the solar transition region, we obtain essentially the same good agreement with the classical result, showing that classical transport theory is sufficient to describe heat transport in the solar transition region. When the transition region pressure (density) is reduced to unrealistically low values, while the temperature profile is kept unchanged, a significant fraction of the energy flux is carried by nonthermal electrons from the corona. But the total energy flux is never larger than the classical Spitzer-Härm value. The heat flux is independent of density at high densities (the classical result), and decreases monotonically as the transition region pressure is reduced.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Electron Heat Conduction in the Solar Transition Region: Validity of the Classical Description does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Electron Heat Conduction in the Solar Transition Region: Validity of the Classical Description, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electron Heat Conduction in the Solar Transition Region: Validity of the Classical Description will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1284520