Type III burst electrons and solar heating

• We addressed the origin of fast electrons in type III bursts and heating of the lower solar atmosphere by analyzing the effects of neutral-proton charge-exchange collisions in reconnection regions [Cairns, 2001]. The physics involves the driving of lower hybrid waves by pickup ions, generation of an enhanced tail of fast electrons, and significant electron and proton heating. The idea seems most attractive as a heating mechanism for the chromosphere and transition region, and for electron acceleration there, but seems less attractive for type III electrons accelerated in the corona itself.

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