Trigger Mechanism of Solar Subflares in a Braided Coronal Magnetic Structure

TL;DR

This study observes external triggering of solar subflares in a braided coronal magnetic field, highlighting a mechanism where reconnection in the transition region initiates larger energy releases, which may influence coronal heating.

Contribution

It provides detailed observational evidence of external trigger mechanisms for subflares in braided magnetic structures, a novel insight into solar flare initiation processes.

Findings

External triggers can initiate subflares in braided magnetic fields.

Reconnection in the transition region can lead to larger coronal energy releases.

At least 10 subflares were triggered externally in the observed structure.

Abstract

Fine-scale braiding of coronal magnetic loops by continuous footpoint motions may power coronal heating via nanoflares, which are spontaneous fine-scale bursts of internal reconnection. An initial nanoflare may trigger an avalanche of reconnection of the braids, making a microflare or larger subflare. In contrast to this internal triggering of subflares, we observe external triggering of subflares in a braided coronal magnetic field observed by the {\it High-resolution Coronal Imager (Hi-C)}. We track the development of these subflares using 12 s cadence images acquired by {\it SDO}/AIA in 1600, 193, 94 \AA, and registered magnetograms of {\it SDO}/HMI, over four hours centered on the {\it Hi-C} observing time. These data show numerous recurring small-scale brightenings in transition-region emission happening on polarity inversion lines where flux cancellation is occurring. We present in detail an example of an apparent burst of reconnection of two loops in the transition region under the braided coronal field, appropriate for releasing a short reconnected loop downward and a longer reconnected loop upward. The short loop presumably submerges into the photosphere, participating in observed flux cancellation. A subflare in the overlying braided magnetic field is apparently triggered by the disturbance of the braided field by the reconnection-released upward loop. At least 10 subflares observed in this braided structure appear to be triggered this way. How common this external trigger mechanism for coronal subflares is in other active regions, and how important it is for coronal heating in general, remain to be seen.