Observation of quasi-periodic solar radio bursts associated with propagating fast-mode waves

TL;DR

This study links quasi-periodic solar radio bursts to fast-mode waves interacting with CMEs, revealing their origin and propagation characteristics through combined radio and EUV observations.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis connecting periodic radio sparks with fast wave trains and CME dynamics using multi-wavelength imaging and radio data.

Findings

Radio sparks' period matches EUV fast wave train period

Emission height aligns with CME leading edge location

Emission speed is comparable to CME speed

Abstract

Radio emission observations from the Learmonth and Bruny Island radio spectrographs are analysed to determine the nature of a train of discrete, periodic radio \lq sparks\rq (finite-bandwidth, short-duration isolated radio features) which precede a type II burst. We analyse extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imaging from SDO/AIA at multiple wavelengths and identify a series of quasi-periodic rapidly-propagating enhancements, which we interpret as a fast wave train, and link these to the detected radio features. The speeds and positions of the periodic rapidly propagating fast waves and the coronal mass ejection (CME) were recorded using running-difference images and time-distance analysis. From the frequency of the radio sparks the local electron density at the emission location was estimated for each. Using an empirical model for the scaling of density in the corona, the calculated electron density was used to obtain the height above the surface at which the emission occurs, and the propagation velocity of the emission location. The period of the radio sparks, $\delta t_\mathrm{r}$=1.78$\pm$0.04 min, matches the period of the fast wave train observed at 171 $\AA$, $\delta t_\mathrm{EUV}$=1.7 $\pm$ 0.2 min. The inferred speed of the emission location of the radio sparks, 630 km s$^{-1}$, is comparable to the measured speed of the CME leading edge, 500 km s$^{-1}$, and the speeds derived from the drifting of the type II lanes. The calculated height of the radio emission (obtained from the density) matches the observed location of the CME leading edge. From the above evidence we propose that the radio sparks are caused by the quasi-periodic fast waves, and the emission is generated as they catch up and interact with the leading edge of the CME.