THE AMOUNT OF LITHIUM PRODUCED DURING IMPULSIVE FLARES

Recent observations have provided much real information about the acce leration of particles in solar flares. High-reliability data about acc elerated particles have been obtained for an impulsive phase of some h ares of the activity cycle XXII. Therefore, it seems reasonable to re- estimate the amount of Li atoms produced in the upper photospheric lay ers by alpha - alpha reactions. A value of 5 x 10(29) nuclei during th e largest impulsive solar events has been found from calculations for the thick-target model. This agrees with observations of the gamma lin e of lithium. In conclusion, the probability of enhanced Li absorption observed after large impulsive flares in the sunspot penumbra is disc ussed.