Helium-3 Enrichment in Gradual Solar Energetic Particle Events: Evidence for Jet-Supplied Seed Population

TL;DR

This study investigates the origin of 3He enrichment in solar energetic particle events, finding evidence that jet-driven injections supply seed populations re-accelerated by CME shocks, especially in jet-associated events.

Contribution

It provides new evidence linking jet eruptions to 3He enrichment in gradual SEP events, highlighting jet-supplied seed populations as a key factor.

Findings

3He enrichment often associated with jet eruptions.

Highest 3He/4He ratios occur during jet activity.

Positive correlation between 3He/4He and Fe/O in jet events.

Abstract

Enhancements in 3He abundance, a characteristic feature of impulsive solar energetic particle (ISEP) events, are also frequently observed in gradual SEP (GSEP) events. Understanding the origin of this enrichment is crucial for identifying the mechanisms behind SEP generation. We investigate the origin of 3He enrichment in high-energy (25-50 MeV) solar proton events observed by SOHO, selecting events that coincide with <1 MeV/nucleon 3He-rich periods detected by ACE during 1997-2021. The identified 3He enhancements include cases where material from independent impulsive (3He-rich) SEP events is mixed with GSEP proton populations. Two high-energy proton events exhibit elemental composition and solar source characteristics consistent with ISEPs. Extreme-ultraviolet imaging from SDO and STEREO reveals narrow, jet-like eruptions in the parent active regions of about 60% of the remaining events. Notably, the highest 3He/4He ratios occur when coronal jets are present, consistent with fresh, jet-driven injection of suprathermal 3He that is subsequently re-accelerated during the event. Correspondingly, jet-associated events show fewer pre-event (residual) 3He counts, indicating that enrichment in these cases does not primarily come from remnant material. We find a positive correlation between 3He/4He and Fe/O, strongest in jet-associated events, consistent with a common jet-supplied seed population re-accelerated by the CME shock.