Characteristics of proton flare active regions and force-free magnetic fields

Abstract

Proton flare active regions have the common characteristic of an S-shaped neutral line caused by relative movements of sunspots. This observational feature suggested to us a method of estimating the force-free parameter. For three typical active regions we have estimated the variation in the force-free parameter, and assuming a constant force-free parameter, we calculated the structure of the force-free field and the magnetic energy of the potential field. Our calculations show that before the occurence of proton flares, the force-free parameter increases and the magnetic energy of the potential field decreases, this decrease may well be the source for the development of the force-free field, and its magnitude is sufficient for the requirement of the proton flare.