Electron Transport During Solar Flares

Abstract

In this chapter we discuss microwave observation as a tool for investigating kinetic process of high energy electrons in solar flares. An ultimate goal of such studies is determination of electron evolution as a result of acceleration and transport in the presence of inhomogeneous magnetic field, and our focus is on why microwave radiation should be adequate for achieving this goal. The microwave studies devoted to such problems are briefly reviewed, and the main paradigms are expressed in simple formulations for so-called trap-and-precipitation systems. These formulations are then taken as a basis for organizing and illuminating contemporary ideas that recently emerged, including direct precipitation, various pitch angle scattering, and energy variation. The ideas enlarged from the discussions may guide the use of the FASR as an exceptional tool for solar flare study.