Sub-second time evolution of Type III solar radio burst sources at fundamental and harmonic frequencies

TL;DR

This paper uses 3D Monte Carlo simulations to explain the rapid, sub-second variations in the positions and sizes of Type III solar radio burst sources at fundamental and harmonic frequencies, revealing the role of anisotropic scattering.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed simulation approach to model radio-wave transport accounting for anisotropic turbulence, explaining observed image dynamics of solar radio bursts.

Findings

Anisotropic scattering explains observed source size and position variations.

Fundamental emission source sizes and dynamics match simulation predictions.

Harmonic sources show slower temporal evolution despite similar apparent sizes.

Abstract

Recent developments in astronomical radio telescopes opened new opportunities in imaging and spectroscopy of solar radio bursts at sub-second timescales. Imaging in narrow frequency bands has revealed temporal variations in the positions and source sizes that do not fit into the standard picture of type III solar radio bursts, and require a better understanding of radio-wave transport. In this paper, we utilise 3D Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulations that account for the anisotropic density turbulence in the inhomogeneous solar corona to quantitatively explain the image dynamics at the fundamental (near plasma frequency) and harmonic (double) plasma emissions observed at \sim 32~MHz. Comparing the simulations with observations, we find that anisotropic scattering from an instantaneous emission point source can account for the observed time profiles, centroid locations, and source sizes of the fundamental component of type III radio bursts (generated where f_{pe} \approx 32~MHz). The best agreement with observations is achieved when the ratio of the perpendicular to the parallel component of the wave vector of anisotropic density turbulence is around 0.25. Harmonic emission sources observed at the same frequency (\sim 32~MHz, but generated where f_{pe} \approx 16~MHz) have apparent sizes comparable to those produced by the fundamental emission, but demonstrate a much slower temporal evolution. The simulations of radio-wave propagation make it possible to quantitatively explain the variations of apparent source sizes and positions at sub-second time-scales both for the fundamental and harmonic emissions, and can be used as a diagnostic tool for the plasma turbulence in the upper corona.