Theory of fragmented energy release in the sun, Space Sci. Rev. 68, 39, 1994.


Abstract

The magnetic energy release inside an active region is closely related to its formation and evolution. Following the evolution of a collection of flux tubes inside the convection zone and above the photosphere we can show that many structures (current sheets, shock waves, double layers etc.) are formed. We propose in this review that coronal heating, flares and particle acceleration are due to the interaction of the plasma with these nonlinear structures. Approaching active regions as a driven complex dynamical system we can show that several coherent ensembles of the nonlinear structures will appear spontaneously. We can also show that many observed large scale structures are the result of the convolution of non-observable fragmentation in the energy release process.

Key words: Coronal Heating, Flares, Particle Acceleration.