• Searching for Ultralight Dark Matter Conversion in Solar Corona using LOFAR Data

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Ultralight axions and dark photons are well-motivated dark matter (DM) candidates. The axion DM and dark photon DM (DPDM) can resonantly convert into electromagnetic (EM) waves in the solar corona when their mass is equal to the solar plasma frequency. The resultant EM waves are mono-chromatic in the radio-frequency range with an energy equal to the DM mass, which can be detected via radio telescopes for solar observations. We search for converted mono-chromatic signals in the observational data of the high-sensitivity Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope. We find the upper limit on the kinetic mixing coupling between DPDM and photon can reach $10^{-13}$ in the frequency range $30-80$ MHz, which is about one order of magnitude better than the existing constraint from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) observation. In addition, we also get the upper limit on the axion-photon coupling in the same frequency range, which is better than the constraints from Light-Shining-through-a-Wall experiments but does not exceed the CAST or other astrophysical bounds.

  • Searching for Ultralight Dark Matter Conversion in Solar Corona using LOFAR Data

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Ultralight axions and dark photons are well-motivated dark matter (DM) candidates. The axion DM and dark photon DM (DPDM) can resonantly convert into electromagnetic (EM) waves in the solar corona when their mass is equal to the solar plasma frequency. The resultant EM waves are mono-chromatic in the radio-frequency range with an energy equal to the DM mass, which can be detected via radio telescopes for solar observations. We search for converted mono-chromatic signals in the observational data of the high-sensitivity Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope. We find the upper limit on the kinetic mixing coupling between DPDM and photon can reach $10^{-13}$ in the frequency range $30-80$ MHz, which is about one order of magnitude better than the existing constraint from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) observation. In addition, we also get the upper limit on the axion-photon coupling in the same frequency range, which is better than the constraints from Light-Shining-through-a-Wall experiments but does not exceed the CAST or other astrophysical bounds.

  • The frequency ratio and time delay of solar radio emissions with fundamental and harmonic components

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Solar radio bursts generated through the plasma emission mechanism produce radiation near the local plasma frequency (fundamental emission) and double the plasma frequency (harmonic). While the theoretical ratio of these two frequencies is close to 2, simultaneous observations give ratios ranging from 1.6 to 2, suggesting either a ratio different from 2, a delay of the fundamental emission, or both. To address this long-standing question, we conducted high frequency, high time resolution imaging spectroscopy of type III and type J bursts with fine structures for both the fundamental and harmonic components with LOFAR between 30 and 80 MHz. The short-lived and narrow frequency-band fine structures observed simultaneously at fundamental and harmonic frequencies give a frequency ratio of 1.66 and 1.73, similar to previous observations. However, frequency-time cross-correlations suggest a frequency ratio of 1.99 and 1.95 with a time delay between the F and H emissions of 1.00 and 1.67 s, respectively for each event. Hence, simultaneous frequency ratio measurements different from 2 are caused by the delay of the fundamental emission. Among the processes causing fundamental emission delays, anisotropic radio-wave scattering is dominant. Moreover, the levels of anisotropy and density fluctuations reproducing the delay of fundamental emissions are consistent with those required to simulate the source size and duration of fundamental emissions. Using these simulations we are able to, for the first time, provide quantitative estimates of the delay time of the fundamental emissions caused by radio-wave propagation effects at multiple frequencies, which can be used in future studies.

  • Solar Radio Spikes and Type IIIb Striae Manifestations of Sub-second Electron Acceleration Triggered by a Coronal Mass Ejection

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Understanding electron acceleration associated with magnetic energy release at sub-second scales presents a major challenges in solar physics. Solar radio spikes observed as sub-second, narrow bandwidth bursts with $\Delta{f}/f\sim10^{-3}-10^{-2}$ are indicative of sub-second evolution of the electron distribution. We present a statistical analysis of frequency, and time-resolved imaging of individual spikes and Type IIIb striae associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME). LOFAR imaging reveals that co-temporal ($<2$ s) spike and striae intensity contours almost completely overlap. On average, both burst types have similar source size with fast expansion at millisecond scales. The radio source centroid velocities are often superluminal, and independent of frequency over 30-45 MHz. The CME perturbs the field geometry, leading to increased spike emission likely due to frequent magnetic reconnection. As the field restores towards the prior configuration, the observed sky-plane emission locations drift to increased heights over tens of minutes. Combined with previous observations above 1 GHz, average decay time and source size estimates follow $\sim1/f$ dependency over three decades in frequency, similar to radio-wave scattering predictions. Both time and spatial characteristics of the bursts between 30-70 MHz are consistent with radio-wave scattering with strong anisotropy of the density fluctuation spectrum. Consequently, the site of radio-wave emission does not correspond to the observed burst locations and implies acceleration and emission near the CME flank. The bandwidths suggest intrinsic emission source sizes $<1$ arcsec at 30 MHz, and magnetic field strengths a factor of two larger than average in events that produce decameter spikes.

  • Implications for additional plasma heating driving the extreme-ultraviolet late phase of a solar flare with microwave imaging spectroscopy

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Extreme-ultraviolet late phase (ELP) refers to the second extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) radiation enhancement observed in certain solar flares, which usually occurs tens of minutes to several hours after the peak of soft X-ray emission. The coronal loop system that hosts the ELP emission is often different from the main flaring arcade, and the enhanced EUV emission therein may imply an additional heating process. However, the origin of the ELP remains rather unclear. Here we present the analysis of a C1.4 flare that features such an ELP, which is also observed in microwave wavelengths by the Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array (EOVSA). Similar to the case of the ELP, we find a gradual microwave enhancement that occurs about three minutes after the main impulsive phase microwave peaks. Radio sources coincide with both footpoints of the ELP loops and spectral fits on the time-varying microwave spectra demonstrate a clear deviation of the electron distribution from the Maxwellian case, which could result from injected nonthermal electrons or nonuniform heating to the footpoint plasma. We further point out that the delayed microwave enhancement suggests the presence of an additional heating process, which could be responsible for the evaporation of heated plasma that fills the ELP loops, producing the prolonged ELP emission.