# Small electron acceleration episodes in the solar corona

## TL;DR

This study investigates small-scale electron acceleration events in the solar corona, revealing their energetics, association with type III bursts, and the proportion of electrons escaping to 1 AU, highlighting their significance despite weak emissions.

## Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of small, non-flare-related electron acceleration episodes and their energetics in the solar corona, expanding understanding of solar energetic processes.

## Key findings

- Electron energies ranged from 10^{23} to 10^{25} erg.
- Approximately 6% to 148% of electrons escaped to 1 AU.
- Events were associated with interplanetary type III bursts.

## Abstract

We study the energetics of nonthermal electrons produced in small acceleration episodes in the solar corona. We carried out an extensive survey spanning 2004--2015 and shortlisted 6 impulsive electron events detected at 1 AU that was not associated with large solar flares(GOES soft X-ray class $>$ C1) or with coronal mass ejections. Each of these events had weak, but detectable hard Xray (HXR) emission near the west limb, and were associated with interplanetary type III bursts. In some respects, these events seem like weak counterparts of "cold/tenuous" flares. The energy carried by the HXR producing electron population was $\approx 10^{23}$ -- $10^{25}$ erg, while that in the corresponding population detected at 1 AU was $\approx 10^{24}$--$10^{25}$ erg. The number of electrons that escape the coronal acceleration site and reach 1 AU constitute 6 % to 148 % of those that precipitate downwards to produce thick target HXR emission.