Hard X-ray morphology of the X1.3 April 25, 2014 partially occulted limb solar flare

TL;DR

This study analyzes the hard X-ray morphology of a partially occulted limb solar flare using RHESSI data, revealing insights into particle acceleration and transport processes in solar flares.

Contribution

It provides detailed imaging and spectral analysis of the loop-top source in a partially occulted flare, enabling isolated study of this region.

Findings

Identification of distinct emission components at the loop-top

Insights into particle acceleration mechanisms

Enhanced understanding of flare energy transport

Abstract

At hard X-ray energies, the bright footpoint emission from solar flare loops often prevents a detailed analysis of the weaker loop-top source morphology due to the limited dynamic range available for X-ray imaging. Here, we study the X1.3 April 25, 2014 flare with the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). This partially occulted limb flare allows the analysis of the loop-top emission in isolation. We present results on the flare light curve at different energies, the source morphology from X-ray imaging and a detailed spectral analysis of the different source components by imaging spectroscopy. The loop-top source, a likely site of particle acceleration, shows a clear composition of different emission components. The results indicate the opportunities that detailed imaging of hard X-rays can provide to learn about particle acceleration, transport and heating processes in solar flares.