Spectroscopic Observations and Modelling of Impulsive Alfv\'en Waves Along a Polar Coronal Jet

TL;DR

This study combines spectroscopic observations and numerical simulations to investigate impulsively generated Alfvén waves in a polar coronal jet, revealing their signatures and potential role in jet dynamics.

Contribution

It provides the first combined observational and numerical analysis of Alfvén waves in a polar coronal jet, linking spectral signatures with wave propagation and reconnection processes.

Findings

Spectroscopic data shows velocity and FWHM variations consistent with Alfvén wave signatures.

Numerical simulations reproduce observed spectral line broadening and velocity patterns.

Reconnection in the corona likely generates impulsive Alfvén waves that propagate along the jet.

Abstract

Using the Hinode/EIS 2$"$ spectroscopic observations, we study the intensity, velocity, and FWHM variations of the strongest Fe XII 195.12 \AA\ line along the jet to find the signature of Alfv\'en waves. We simulate numerically the impulsively generated Alfv\'en waves within the vertical Harris current-sheet, forming the jet plasma flows, and mimicking their observational signatures. Using the FLASH code and the atmospheric model with embedded weakly expanding magnetic field configuration within a vertical Harris current-sheet, we solve the two and half-dimensional (2.5-D) ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations to study the evolution of Alfv\'en waves and vertical flows forming the plasma jet. At a height of $\sim 5~\mathrm{Mm}$ from the base of the jet, the red-shifted velocity component of Fe XII 195.12 \AA\ line attains its maximum ($5~\mathrm{km\,s}^{-1}$) which converts into a blue-shifted one between the altitude of $5-10~\mathrm{Mm}$. The spectral intensity continously increases up to $10~\mathrm{Mm}$, while FWHM still exhibits the low values with almost constant trend. This indicates that the reconnection point within the jet's magnetic field topology lies in the corona $5-10~\mathrm{Mm}$ from its footpoint anchored in the Sun's surface. Beyond this height, FWHM shows a growing trend. This may be the signature of Alfv\'en waves that impulsively evolve due to reconnection and propagate along the jet. From our numerical data, we evaluate space- and time- averaged Alfv\'en waves velocity amplitudes at different heights in the jet's current-sheet, which contribute to the non-thermal motions and spectral line broadening. The synthetic width of Fe XII $195.12~\mathrm{\AA}$ line exhibits similar trend of increment as in the observational data, possibly proving the existence of impulsively generated (by reconnection) Alfv\'en waves which propagate along the jet.