Comparison of alternative zebra-structure models in solar radio emission

TL;DR

This paper compares different models explaining zebra-structure in solar radio emissions, focusing on the double plasma resonance and whistler wave interaction mechanisms, using a specific solar event as a case study.

Contribution

It evaluates the viability of the whistler wave interaction model for zebra-structure formation, contrasting it with the traditional DPR model, based on observational analysis.

Findings

The whistler interaction model can explain key features of zebra stripes.

The August 1, 2010, solar event supports the whistler-based explanation.

Comparison highlights strengths and limitations of both models.

Abstract

Discussion about the nature of zebra-structure (ZS) in the type IV radio bursts continues, despite the ten proposed models. First of all, this is due to the wide variety of stripes in each new phenomenon, when the explanation of all the fine details by any one mechanism becomes impossible. The most widespread explanation is the emission at different levels of double plasma resonance (DPR), sequential on the height surfaces in the magnetic trap, where the upper hybrid frequency ($\omega_{UH}$) becomes equal to the integer of electronic cyclotron harmonics $s\omega_{Be}: \omega_{UH} = (\omega_{Pe}^2 + \omega_{Be}^2)^{1/2} = s\omega_{Be}$ (Zheleznyakov, Zlotnik, 1975, Winglee, Dulk, 1986, Kuznetsov & Tsap (2007)). An important alternative mechanism is the interaction of plasma waves with the whistlers: $l + w \Rightarrow t$ (Chernov, 1976, 2006). Here, we will show the possibility of explaining the main features of the zebra stripes in the model with whistlers, using the example of the phenomenon on August 1, 2010.