A Physical Explanation on Solar Microwave Zebra Pattern with the Current-carrying Plasma Loop Model

Abstract

Microwave zebra pattern structure is an intriguing fine structure on the dynamic spectra of solar type IV radio burst. Up to now, there isn't a perfect physical model for the origin of the solar microwave zebra pattern. Recently, Ledenev, Yan and Fu (2006) put forward an interference mechanism to explain the features of microwave zebra patterns in solar continuum events. This model needs a structure with a multitude of discrete narrow-band sources of small size. Based on the model of current-carrying plasma loop and the theory of tearing mode instability, we proposed that the above structure does exist and may provide the main conditions for the interference mechanism. With this model, we may explain the frequency upper limit, the formation of the parallel and equidistant stripes, the superfine structure and intermediate frequency drift rate of the zebra stripes. If this explanation is valid, the zebra pattern structures can reveal some information of the motion and the inner structures of the coronal plasma loops.