Abnormal oscillation modes in a waning light bridge

Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
e-mail: DYuan2@uclan.ac.uk

Received: 6 July 2016
Accepted: 11 September 2016

Abstract

Context. A sunspot acts as a waveguide in response to the dynamics of the solar interior; the trapped waves and oscillations could reveal its thermal and magnetic structures.

Aims. We study the oscillations in a sunspot intruded by a light bridge, and the details of these oscillations could reveal the fine structure of the magnetic topology.

Methods. We used the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly data to analyse the oscillations in the emission intensity of light bridge plasma at different temperatures, and we investigated their spatial distributions.

Results. The extreme ultraviolet emission intensity exhibits two persistent oscillations at five-minute and sub-minute ranges. The spatial distribution of the five-minute oscillation follows the spine of the bridge, whereas the sub-minute oscillations overlap with two flanks of the bridge. Moreover, the sub-minute oscillations are highly correlated in spatial domain, however, the oscillations at the eastern and western flanks are asymmetric with regard to the lag time. In the meantime, jet-like activities are only found at the eastern flank.

Conclusions. Asymmetries in the form of oscillatory pattern and jet-like activities are found between two flanks of a granular light bridge. Based on our study and recent findings, we propose a new model of twisted magnetic field for a light bridge and its dynamic interactions with the magnetic field of a sunspot.