Quasi-periodic oscillations of flare loops and slipping motion of ribbon substructures during a C-class flare

TL;DR

This study reports simultaneous long-duration quasi-periodic oscillations in flare loops and slipping ribbon substructures during a C-class solar flare, suggesting a common underlying reconnection-driven process.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed observation linking quasi-periodic oscillations in flare loops and ribbon substructures during a single event, highlighting the role of loop-top dynamics.

Findings

Quasi-periodic intensity oscillations with a period of about 4.5 minutes in flare loops.

Quasi-periodic slipping motion of ribbon substructures with similar periodicity.

Oscillations are likely driven by reconnection outflows impacting the flare loops.

Abstract

Quasi-periodic oscillations in solar flaring emission have been observed over the past few decades. To date, the underpinning processes resulting in the quasi-periodic oscillations remain unknown. In this paper, we report a unique event that exhibits both the long-duration quasi-periodic intensity oscillations of flare loops and the quasi-periodic slipping motion of ribbon substructures during a C9.1-class flare (SOL2015-03-15-T01:15), using the observations from Solar Dynamics Observatory and Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph. The high-temperature flare loops rooted in the straight part of ribbons display a "bright-dim" intensity oscillation, with a period of about 4.5 minutes. The oscillation starts just after the flare onset and lasts over 3 hours. Meanwhile, the substructures within the ribbon tip display the quasi-periodic slipping motion along the ribbon at 1400 \AA images which has a similar periodicity to the stationary intensity oscillation of the flare loops in the straight part of the flare ribbons. We suggest that the quasi-periodic pattern is probably related to the loop-top dynamics caused by the reconnection outflow impinging on the flare loops.