Quasi-periodic modulation of solar and stellar flaring emission by magnetohydrodynamic oscillations in a nearby loop

Physics Department, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK e-mail: V.Nakariakov@warwick.ac.uk

Received: 30 November 2005
Accepted: 20 February 2006

Abstract

We propose a new model for quasi-periodic modulation of solar and stellar flaring emission. Fast magnetoacoustic oscillations of a non-flaring loop can interact with a nearby flaring active region. This interaction occurs when part of the oscillation situated outside the loop reaches the regions of steep gradients in magnetic field within an active region and produces periodic variations of electric current density. The modulation depth of these variations is a few orders of magnitude greater than the amplitude of the driving oscillation. The variations of the current can induce current-driven plasma micro-instabilities and thus anomalous resistivity. This can periodically trigger magnetic reconnection, and hence acceleration of charged particles, producing quasi-periodic pulsations of X-ray, optical and radio emission at the arcade footpoints.