Multi-Path Quasi-Periodic Fast-mode Propagating Magnetoacoustic Waves to Diagnose Coronal Magnetic Field and Flaring Core

Abstract

Quasi-periodic fast-mode magnetoacoustic waves are often detected during solar flare events, although they are not observed in every flare, due to observational signal-to-noise limits and differences in flare magnetic topology and energy release strength. These structures propagate along magnetic configurations and supply effective diagnostics for coronal magnetic environments and flaring regions. Periodic signatures seen in fast-mode QFP wave trains carry physical information about excitation processes and propagation conditions. These signatures support quantitative studies of flare cores and magnetic channel properties. This work focuses on a well-documented event involving two oppositely oriented QFP waves simultaneously excited by a GOES-class M6.0 solar flare that occurred in active region NOAA 11261 on August 3, 2011. These QFP waves can be categorized into broad and narrow wave trains, with the narrow one propagating along funnel-like loops and the broad one moving through the low corona. Observational results suggest that both broad-wave and narrow-wave QFP phenomena can be simultaneously triggered by a single flare eruption. This study also indicates that such multi-path QFP wave events can be utilized to diagnose the magnetic field and the flare's core, and demonstrates the capability of multi-path QFP waves for robust coronal magnetic field and flare core diagnostics.