Observation and Modeling of the Solar Transition Region. II. Identification of New Classes of Solutions of Coronal Loop Models

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal 1999-12, Vol.527 (2), p.992-999
• Main Authors: Oluseyi, Hakeem M, Walker II, A. B. C, Santiago, David I, Hoover, Richard B, Barbee, Jr., Troy W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ANALYTICAL SOLUTION; CHROMOSPHERE; CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; MAGNETIC FIELDS; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; SCALING LAWS; SOLAR CORONA; THEORETICAL DATA
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1086/308113

In the present work we undertake a study of the quasi-static loop model and the observational consequences of the various solutions found. We obtain the most general solutions consistent with certain initial conditions. Great care is exercised in choosing these conditions to be physically plausible (motivated by observations). We show that the assumptions of previous quasi-static loop models, such as the models of Rosner, Tucker, and Vaiana (RTV) and Veseckey, Antiochos, and Underwood, (VAU) are not necessarily valid for small loops at transition region temperatures. We find three general classes of solutions for the quasi-static loop model, which we denote radiation-dominated loops, conduction-dominated loops, and classical loops. These solutions are then compared with observations. Departures from the classical scaling law of RTV are found for the solutions obtained. It is shown that loops of the type that we model here can make a significant contribution to lower transition regions emission via thermal conduction from the upper transition region. (c) (c) 1999. The American Astronomical Society.