On oscillations found in an active region with EIS on Hinode

Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh BT61 9DG, N. Ireland e-mail: eos@arm.ac.uk

Received: 5 September 2008
Accepted: 27 November 2008

Abstract

Aims. Using temporal series ( slot) data in the 195 Å line from the extreme-ultraviolet imaging spectrometer (EIS) on board the Hinode satellite, we seek to carry out a statistical study of oscillations in an active region.

Methods. Using wavelet techniques, we measure the frequency and duration of oscillations found in the time series data. Stokes I and V data from Hinode's SOT are used to measure photospheric magnetic fields, while an EIS raster is used to provide estimates of LOS velocity and electron density. The measured frequencies are displayed as maps in different bands to aid their analysis.

Results. Oscillations over a broad range of frequencies (2–154 mHz) are found throughout the active region at the temperature of (log  K). Oscillations with frequencies between 2–8 mHz are concentrated in bright plage areas, while oscillations of higher frequency preferentially group at the edges of these areas. Evidence is found for harmonics on the boundary of the active region loop, indicating the presence of standing waves. From a measurement of the lengths and electron density of loops appearing in our active region field-of-view (FOV), together with a knowledge of the periods (frequencies) of the oscillations within the area of these loops, we find a magnetic field value of between  G, assuming standing fast kink waves.

Conclusions. We conclude that waves, which the observed oscillations are signatures of, are common in the active region studied, over a broad range of frequencies. The change in the distribution of the oscillations present at frequencies less than 8 mHz and those at all frequencies above this indicates a variation of the wave mode with frequency, e.g., possibly from slow magnetoacoustic waves in the bright plage regions to fast magnetoacoustic waves at the boundaries of these regions. The preference for higher frequency oscillations to cluster on the edges of regions of high magnetic field is considered indicative of resonant absorption. Based on our measurements of magnetic field, we conclude that the oscillations found by us in the active region loop are fast kink waves.