The energy of high frequency waves in the low solar Chromosphere

TL;DR

This study investigates high-frequency acoustic waves in the low solar chromosphere to assess their role in heating, using spectroscopic observations and wave analysis techniques, but finds they are insufficient for the energy requirements.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed measurement of high-frequency wave energy flux in the low solar chromosphere using spectroscopic data and advanced analysis methods.

Findings

Estimated wave energy flux is insufficient for chromospheric heating.

High-frequency waves are present but do not provide enough energy.

Spectroscopic analysis confirms the limited role of these waves in heating.

Abstract

High frequency acoustic waves have been suggested as a source of mechanical heating in the chromosphere. In this work the radial component of waves in the frequency interval 22mHz to 1mHz are investigated. Observations were performed using 2D spectroscopy in the spectral lines of Fe I 543.45nm and Fe I 543.29nm at the Vacuum Tower Telescope, Tenerife, Spain. Speckle reconstruction has been applied to the observations. We have used Fourier and wavelet techniques to identify oscillatory power. The energy flux is estimated assuming that all observed oscillations are acoustics running waves. We find that the estimated energy flux is not sufficient to cover the chromospheric radiative losses.