The thermal nature of soft X-ray flares

Abstract

Soft X-ray flare data in the wavelength range 2.6-10 A are used to examine the time variation of emission measure and electron temperature. The thermal plasma parameters were derived according to a two-temperature model proposed by Herring and Craig (1973). Estimates of electron density and source volume are made by assuming conductive and radiative cooling mechanisms. It is suggested that the present observations imply a multi-thermal interpretation of the soft X-ray flare.