Localizing quasi-periodic pulsations in hard X-ray, microwave and Lya emissions of an X6.4 Flare

TL;DR

This study reports the detection of quasi-periodic pulsations across multiple wavelengths during an X6.4 solar flare, revealing insights into magnetic reconnection and wave modulation mechanisms.

Contribution

It provides the first simultaneous multi-wavelength observation of QPPs with dual periods during a major solar flare, linking them to magnetic reconnection and wave processes.

Findings

Detection of dual-period QPPs at ~200s and ~95s in multiple wavelengths.

Longer period likely modulated by slow magnetoacoustic waves from a sunspot.

Shorter period possibly represents a second harmonic of the wave mode.

Abstract

We report the simultaneous observations of quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in wavelengths of hard X-ray (HXR), microwave, Ly{\alpha}, and ultraviolet (UV) emissions during the impulsive phase of an X6.4 flare on 2024 February 22 (SOL2024-02-22T22:08). The X6.4 flare shows three repetitive and successive pulsations in HXR and microwave wavebands, and they have an extremely-large modulation depth. The onset of flare QPPs is almost simultaneous with the start of magnetic cancellation between positive and negative fields. The wavelet power spectra suggest the presence of double periods, which are centered at about 200s and 95s, respectively. The long-period QPP can also be detected in Ly$\alpha$ and UV wavebands at the flare area, and it could be observed in the adjacent sunspot. Our observations indicate that the flare QPPs are most likely triggered by accelerated electrons that are associated with periodic magnetic reconnections. The long period at about 200s is probably modulated by the slow magnetoacoustic wave originating from the neighboring sunspot, while the short period at about 95s could be regarded as its second harmonic mode.