Scaling laws of quasi-periodic pulsations in solar flares

Abstract

Quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) are a common feature of solar flares, but previously there has been a lack of observational evidence to support any of the theoretical models that might explain the origin of QPPs. We aimed to determine if there are any relationships between the QPP period and other properties of the flaring region, using the sample of flares with QPPs from Pugh et al. (2017b). If any relationships exist then these can be compared with scaling laws for the theoretical QPP mechanisms. To obtain the flaring region properties we made use of the AIA 1600 and HMI data. The AIA 1600 images allow the flare ribbons to be seen while the HMI magnetograms allow the positive and negative magnetic polarity ribbons to be distinguished and the magnetic properties determined. The ribbon properties calculated in this study were the ribbon separation distance, area, total unsigned magnetic flux, and average magnetic field strength. Only the flares that occurred within \pm 60° of the solar disk centre were included, which meant a sample of 20 flares with 22 QPP signals. Positive correlations were found between the QPP period and the ribbon properties. The strongest correlations were with the separation distance and magnetic flux. Because these ribbon properties also correlate with the flare duration, and the relationship between the QPP period and flare duration may be influenced by observational bias, we also made use of simulated data to check if artificial correlations could be introduced. These simulations show that although QPPs cannot be detected for certain combinations of QPP period and flare duration, this does not introduce an apparent correlation. There is evidence of relationships between the QPP period and flare ribbon properties, and in the future the derived scaling laws between these properties can be compared to equivalent scaling laws for theoretical QPP mechanisms.

Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. 12 pages, 12 figures

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