MICROWAVE-SPECTRUM ANALYSIS AS SOLAR-ENERGY RELEASE DIAGNOSTICS

The possibilities of using spectrographic observations of microwave ra dio emission as a solar flare plasma diagnostic are discussed. The spe ctral fine structure of the emission is interpreted in the context of plasma emission mechanisms. The balance equations for particles and pl asma turbulence together with the transfer equations for electromagnet ic waves in a plasma are solved for a model containing a diverging mag netic loop. As a result of the analysis of the blip-type spectral feat ure, the structure of energy release region and the unperturbed plasma concentration in the preflare loop are evaluated. The number of accel erated electrons and the intensity of the plasma turbulence in the sou rce region are estimated using the properties of the weak continuum em ission following the blip. Based on the degree of circular polarizatio n of both the narrow band and the continuum emission, estimates for th e external magnetic field strength and the angular width of the radiat ing plasma turbulence have been obtained.