Electron Beam Dynamics in a Flaring Loop with Return Current and Converging Magnetic Field

V.V. Zharkova and D.V. Syniavskii

Physics and Astronomy Dept., University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ

Solutions of the time-dependent kinetic equation are presented for electron beam anisotropic precipitation into a flaring loop in a presence of the induced field of return current and converging magnetic field. Electrons are assumed to have an energy power law and normal distributions in pitch-angles and time on the top of the loop in the injection site. They are assumed to lose their energy in Coulomb and inelastic collisions with neutral Hydrogen atoms, Ohmic dissipation and anisotropic scattering in converging magnetic field. The boundary conditions for upper and lower energy and pitch-angle variables are also taken into account. The electron beam distribution functions are shown strongly to vary with depth, energy and pitch-angles. At the transition region the initial electron beam is split into two beams with their own energy maximums that is caused by the induced electric field of return current. Beams with a small upper energy cut-off or with a high total flux are completely dissipated at these depths whereas moderately intense and hard beams with higher upper energy can precipitate to the lower chromosphere and photosphere as well collimated beam. Their energy distributions become narrower, their spectral index is higher (they are softer) and pitch-angular distribution is wider than in the initial beam. These distributions are used to explain hard X-ray bremsstrahlung emission and polarisation and to produce some recommendations for the future X-ray observations.