Imaging and Spectroscopic Observations of a Transient Coronal Loop: Evidence for the Non-Maxwellian $\kappa$-Distributions

TL;DR

This study uses multi-instrument solar observations to diagnose a highly non-Maxwellian electron distribution in a transient coronal loop, providing the first positive evidence of such distributions in the solar corona.

Contribution

It presents the first positive diagnostics of non-Maxwellian $ ext{kappa}$-distributions in the solar corona using combined imaging and spectroscopic data.

Findings

Diagnosed $ ext{kappa} extless= 2$, indicating highly non-Maxwellian electron distributions.

Confirmed $ ext{kappa}$ diagnostics through line intensity ratios and DEM modeling.

Provided new insights into electron distribution functions in solar coronal structures.

Abstract

We report on the SDO/AIA and Hinode/EIS observations of a transient coronal loop. The loop brightens up in the same location after the disappearance of an arcade formed during a B8.9-class microflare three hours earlier. EIS captures this loop during its brightening phase as observed in most of the AIA filters. We use the AIA data to study the evolution of the loop, as well as to perform the DEM diagnostics as a function of $\kappa$. Fe XI--XIII lines observed by EIS are used to perform the diagnostics of electron density and subsequently the diagnostics of $\kappa$. Using ratios involving the Fe XI 257.772\AA selfblend, we diagnose $\kappa$ $\lesssim$ 2, i.e., an extremely non-Maxwellian distribution. Using the predicted Fe line intensities derived from the DEMs as a function of $\kappa$, we show that, with decreasing $\kappa$, all combinations of ratios of line intensities converge to the observed values, confirming the diagnosed $\kappa$ $\lesssim$ 2. These results represent the first positive diagnostics of $\kappa$-distributions in the solar corona despite the limitations imposed by calibration uncertainties.