Simnett, G. M., A new concept for solar flares, 535, 613-618 (2003) (ADS)
(click on the image for a larger version)
The cartoon suggests that large-scale structures in the solar corona
drive the energy release we see in flaring active regions.
This could be a modern echo of the
Elliot idea of particle energy storage.
Not a bad idea, and one that does not involve coronal current systems
storing energy inductively in a very conductive medium,
as we currently assume but seldom
cartoonize.
Thus the "new" in the title may be somewhat overstated; nevertheless this
definitely seems like a non-mainstream idea that could be feasible.
The essence of the ideas presented here is that the gradually-stored
coronal nonthermal particles provide the energy, as the flow into the
active region at the time of a flare, and also a seed population for the
very high-energy particles needed for γ-ray emission and solar
energetic particles ("solar cosmic rays").
The cartoon suggests that large-scale structures in the solar corona drive the energy release we see in flaring active regions. This could be a modern echo of the Elliot idea of particle energy storage. Not a bad idea, and one that does not involve coronal current systems storing energy inductively in a very conductive medium, as we currently assume but seldom cartoonize. Thus the "new" in the title may be somewhat overstated; nevertheless this definitely seems like a non-mainstream idea that could be feasible. The essence of the ideas presented here is that the gradually-stored coronal nonthermal particles provide the energy, as the flow into the active region at the time of a flare, and also a seed population for the very high-energy particles needed for γ-ray emission and solar energetic particles ("solar cosmic rays").