Solar, stellar and cosmological plasmas: a synthesis of data, modelling and theory.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The physics of plasmas - particularly magnetised plasmas - dictates the behaviour of much of the visible universe, from the outer layers of the Sun to the furthest reaches of the observable cosmos. In this proposal, we focus on several key unsolved problems in plasma astrophysics that are also prototypes for a wider and deeper understanding of cosmic plasmas as a whole. These are: (a) how do high-energy radiating electrons, ions and neutrons behave in solar flares and in interplanetary space? How are they accelerated, are they beamed and do they play a key role in flares and their terrestrial impact? (b) how does the Sun store and release energy in its magnetised atmosphere, from surface flows, to low atmosphere flaring activity, coronal mass ejections and interplanetary shocks? And what can be learned from the behaviour of solar plasmas to help resolve controversies over plasma structures like disks and clumps around hot stars or magnetised stars that are just forming? (c) How do pulsars radiate? How might the changing magnetic field at the decoupling era (the very early universe) seed the cosmos with energetic particles and influence the formation of structure? Our programme combines observational data with theoretical and numerical modelling, and spans a wide range of astronomical and technical problems, from solar surface flows to high-energy particle acceleration and circumstellar matter; from electromagnetic waves to relativistic particle beams; from image processing to statistical analysis of weak signals. We will bring all these skills to bear on astronomical questions at the heart of current efforts to better understand the universe.
Organisations
- University of Glasgow (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Oslo (Collaboration)
- Astronomical Institute Czech Republic (Collaboration)
- University of Warwick (Collaboration)
- WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Paris Institute of Astrophysics (Collaboration)
- Catania Astrophysical Observatory (Collaboration)
- University of California, Berkeley (Collaboration)
- Max Planck Society (Collaboration)
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Collaboration)
- University of Geneva (Collaboration)
- Stanford University (Collaboration)
- University of Graz (Collaboration)
- Kentucky State University (Collaboration)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Collaboration)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Collaboration)
- National Institute for Astrophysics (Collaboration)
- University of Lisbon (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE (Collaboration)
- East Tennessee State University (Collaboration)
- QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- Lomonosov Moscow State University (Collaboration)
- Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Collaboration)
- International Space Science Institute (ISSI) (Collaboration)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (Collaboration)
- Leibniz Association (Collaboration)
- University of Central Lancashire (Collaboration)
- University of Catania (Collaboration)
- Beijing Normal University (Collaboration)
- University of Washington (Collaboration)
Publications
{Stark}, C.~R. And {Helling}, C. And {Diver}, D.~A. And {Rimmer}, P.~B.
(2013)
Alfv{\'e}n ionization in exoplanetary atmospheres
in European Planetary Science Congress 2013, held 8-13 September in London, UK.~Online at: <A href=''http://meetings.copernicus.org/epsc2013''> http://meetings.copernicus.org/epsc2013</A>, id.EPSC2013-706
{Stark}, C.~R. And {Helling}, C. And {Diver}, D.~A. And {Rimmer}, P.~B.
(2013)
Alfv{\'e}n ionization in the atmospheres of brown dwarfs
in \memsai
{Potts}, H.~E. And {Diver}, D.~A.
(2009)
Post-hoc Derivation of MDI Flat Fields
{Helling}, C. And {Jardine}, M. And {Witte}, S. And {Diver}, D.~A.
(2011)
Extraterrestrial lightning in atmospheric dust clouds
{Helling}, C. And {Jardine}, M. And {Diver}, D. And {Witte}, S.
(2011)
Electrification Events In Mineral Clouds Of Planetary Atmospheres
Yu S
(2010)
Modelling the radio pulses of an ultracool dwarf
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Wilson A.
(2013)
Ionization in MHD-Gas interactions
in European Planetary Science Congress
Watson F
(2009)
Modelling the Longitudinal Asymmetry in Sunspot Emergence: The Role of the Wilson Depression
in Solar Physics
Vilmer N
(2011)
Properties of Energetic Ions in the Solar Atmosphere from ?-Ray and Neutron Observations
in Space Science Reviews
Tripathi D
(2009)
Partially-erupting prominences: a comparison between observations and model-predicted observables
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
| Description | This being a rolling grant, spread over many projects, the key findings are various and disparate. Details can be found in the associated published papers, but a quick summary: Advances in understanding solar physics energy release and evolution processes, including flares, coronal heating, solar wind production, photospheric dynamics. In addition, new insight into the radiative properties and plasma dynamics of pulsar magnetospheres and crusts. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings became the basis of subsequent rolling grant application. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Energy,Environment,Security and Diplomacy |
| Description | To support advancement of astronomy and plasma physics over a wide range of applications, encompassing solar and astrophysical contexts. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | FP7 project |
| Amount | £253,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | |
| Description | Follow-on fund |
| Amount | £110,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Leverhulme research grant |
| Amount | £143,638 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | SUPA Advanced Fellowship |
| Amount | £35,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2011 |
| End | 12/2013 |
| Description | astronomy rolling grant |
| Amount | £1,100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2011 |
| End | 03/2015 |
| Description | standard grant |
| Amount | £306,856 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Chromospheric flares |
| Organisation | Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic |
| Department | Solar Physics Department |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Organising & leading workshops and defining projects, providing observational data |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with specialised data analysis, and technical insight in science objectives |
| Impact | International Space Science Institute Team funded, scientific splinter session organised at Cool Stars 16 (Seattle), collaborative conference proceedings published, various scientific papers in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Chromospheric flares |
| Organisation | Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Department | Purple Mountain Observatory |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Organising & leading workshops and defining projects, providing observational data |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with specialised data analysis, and technical insight in science objectives |
| Impact | International Space Science Institute Team funded, scientific splinter session organised at Cool Stars 16 (Seattle), collaborative conference proceedings published, various scientific papers in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Chromospheric flares |
| Organisation | Max Planck Society |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Organising & leading workshops and defining projects, providing observational data |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with specialised data analysis, and technical insight in science objectives |
| Impact | International Space Science Institute Team funded, scientific splinter session organised at Cool Stars 16 (Seattle), collaborative conference proceedings published, various scientific papers in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Chromospheric flares |
| Organisation | National Institute for Astrophysics |
| Department | Arcetri Observatory |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Organising & leading workshops and defining projects, providing observational data |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with specialised data analysis, and technical insight in science objectives |
| Impact | International Space Science Institute Team funded, scientific splinter session organised at Cool Stars 16 (Seattle), collaborative conference proceedings published, various scientific papers in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Chromospheric flares |
| Organisation | Queen's University Belfast |
| Department | School of Mathematics and Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Organising & leading workshops and defining projects, providing observational data |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with specialised data analysis, and technical insight in science objectives |
| Impact | International Space Science Institute Team funded, scientific splinter session organised at Cool Stars 16 (Seattle), collaborative conference proceedings published, various scientific papers in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Chromospheric flares |
| Organisation | University of California, Berkeley |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Organising & leading workshops and defining projects, providing observational data |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with specialised data analysis, and technical insight in science objectives |
| Impact | International Space Science Institute Team funded, scientific splinter session organised at Cool Stars 16 (Seattle), collaborative conference proceedings published, various scientific papers in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Chromospheric flares |
| Organisation | University of Oslo |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | Norway |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Organising & leading workshops and defining projects, providing observational data |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with specialised data analysis, and technical insight in science objectives |
| Impact | International Space Science Institute Team funded, scientific splinter session organised at Cool Stars 16 (Seattle), collaborative conference proceedings published, various scientific papers in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Chromospheric flares |
| Organisation | University of Washington |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Organising & leading workshops and defining projects, providing observational data |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with specialised data analysis, and technical insight in science objectives |
| Impact | International Space Science Institute Team funded, scientific splinter session organised at Cool Stars 16 (Seattle), collaborative conference proceedings published, various scientific papers in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Flaring hale sector boundaries & flare filling factors |
| Organisation | Stanford University |
| Department | Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Data analysis of RHESSI and GOES output, in relevant activity sectors |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with relevant RHESSI data |
| Impact | Various collaborative papers produced, as detailed in the full list of publications |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Flaring hale sector boundaries & flare filling factors |
| Organisation | West Virginia University |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Data analysis of RHESSI and GOES output, in relevant activity sectors |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with relevant RHESSI data |
| Impact | Various collaborative papers produced, as detailed in the full list of publications |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Hot star winds, disks and clumps |
| Organisation | Beijing Normal University |
| Department | Department of Astronomy |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Along with collaborative research visits and contributions to workshops, the following papers were published in the last 5 years: [1]A. M. Veronig, J. C. Brown, B. R. Dennis, R. A. Schwartz, L. Sui, and A. K. Tolbert. Physics of the Neupert Effect: Estimates of the Effects of Source Energy, Mass Transport, and Geometry Using RHESSI and GOES Data. ApJ, 621:482-497, March 2005. [2] ] I. I. Antokhin, G. Rauw, J.-M. Vreux, K. A. van der Hucht, and J. C. Brown. X-ray properties of Carina OB1 association (Antokhin+, 2008). VizieR Online Data Catalog, 347:70593-+, October 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. P. Cassinelli, and M. Maheswaran. Magnetically Fed Hot Star Keplerian Disks with Slow Out?ow. ApJ, 688:1320-1325, December 2008. [4]R. Ignace, M. B. Al-Malki, J. F. L. Simmons, J. C. Brown, D. Clarke, and J. C. Carson. Scattering polarization due to light source anisotropy. II. Envelope of arbitrary shape. A& A, 496:503-511, March 2009. [5]Q.-K. Li, J. P. Cassinelli, J. C. Brown, and R. Ignace. Polarization variability arising from clumps in the winds of Wolf-Rayet stars. Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 9:558-576, May 2009. |
| Description | Hot star winds, disks and clumps |
| Organisation | East Tennessee State University |
| Department | Department of Physics and Astronomy |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Along with collaborative research visits and contributions to workshops, the following papers were published in the last 5 years: [1]A. M. Veronig, J. C. Brown, B. R. Dennis, R. A. Schwartz, L. Sui, and A. K. Tolbert. Physics of the Neupert Effect: Estimates of the Effects of Source Energy, Mass Transport, and Geometry Using RHESSI and GOES Data. ApJ, 621:482-497, March 2005. [2] ] I. I. Antokhin, G. Rauw, J.-M. Vreux, K. A. van der Hucht, and J. C. Brown. X-ray properties of Carina OB1 association (Antokhin+, 2008). VizieR Online Data Catalog, 347:70593-+, October 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. P. Cassinelli, and M. Maheswaran. Magnetically Fed Hot Star Keplerian Disks with Slow Out?ow. ApJ, 688:1320-1325, December 2008. [4]R. Ignace, M. B. Al-Malki, J. F. L. Simmons, J. C. Brown, D. Clarke, and J. C. Carson. Scattering polarization due to light source anisotropy. II. Envelope of arbitrary shape. A& A, 496:503-511, March 2009. [5]Q.-K. Li, J. P. Cassinelli, J. C. Brown, and R. Ignace. Polarization variability arising from clumps in the winds of Wolf-Rayet stars. Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 9:558-576, May 2009. |
| Description | Hot star winds, disks and clumps |
| Organisation | Leibniz Association |
| Department | Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Along with collaborative research visits and contributions to workshops, the following papers were published in the last 5 years: [1]A. M. Veronig, J. C. Brown, B. R. Dennis, R. A. Schwartz, L. Sui, and A. K. Tolbert. Physics of the Neupert Effect: Estimates of the Effects of Source Energy, Mass Transport, and Geometry Using RHESSI and GOES Data. ApJ, 621:482-497, March 2005. [2] ] I. I. Antokhin, G. Rauw, J.-M. Vreux, K. A. van der Hucht, and J. C. Brown. X-ray properties of Carina OB1 association (Antokhin+, 2008). VizieR Online Data Catalog, 347:70593-+, October 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. P. Cassinelli, and M. Maheswaran. Magnetically Fed Hot Star Keplerian Disks with Slow Out?ow. ApJ, 688:1320-1325, December 2008. [4]R. Ignace, M. B. Al-Malki, J. F. L. Simmons, J. C. Brown, D. Clarke, and J. C. Carson. Scattering polarization due to light source anisotropy. II. Envelope of arbitrary shape. A& A, 496:503-511, March 2009. [5]Q.-K. Li, J. P. Cassinelli, J. C. Brown, and R. Ignace. Polarization variability arising from clumps in the winds of Wolf-Rayet stars. Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 9:558-576, May 2009. |
| Description | Hot star winds, disks and clumps |
| Organisation | Moscow State University |
| Department | Sternberg Astronomical Institute |
| Country | Russian Federation |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Along with collaborative research visits and contributions to workshops, the following papers were published in the last 5 years: [1]A. M. Veronig, J. C. Brown, B. R. Dennis, R. A. Schwartz, L. Sui, and A. K. Tolbert. Physics of the Neupert Effect: Estimates of the Effects of Source Energy, Mass Transport, and Geometry Using RHESSI and GOES Data. ApJ, 621:482-497, March 2005. [2] ] I. I. Antokhin, G. Rauw, J.-M. Vreux, K. A. van der Hucht, and J. C. Brown. X-ray properties of Carina OB1 association (Antokhin+, 2008). VizieR Online Data Catalog, 347:70593-+, October 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. P. Cassinelli, and M. Maheswaran. Magnetically Fed Hot Star Keplerian Disks with Slow Out?ow. ApJ, 688:1320-1325, December 2008. [4]R. Ignace, M. B. Al-Malki, J. F. L. Simmons, J. C. Brown, D. Clarke, and J. C. Carson. Scattering polarization due to light source anisotropy. II. Envelope of arbitrary shape. A& A, 496:503-511, March 2009. [5]Q.-K. Li, J. P. Cassinelli, J. C. Brown, and R. Ignace. Polarization variability arising from clumps in the winds of Wolf-Rayet stars. Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 9:558-576, May 2009. |
| Description | Hot star winds, disks and clumps |
| Organisation | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| Department | Department of Astronomy |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Along with collaborative research visits and contributions to workshops, the following papers were published in the last 5 years: [1]A. M. Veronig, J. C. Brown, B. R. Dennis, R. A. Schwartz, L. Sui, and A. K. Tolbert. Physics of the Neupert Effect: Estimates of the Effects of Source Energy, Mass Transport, and Geometry Using RHESSI and GOES Data. ApJ, 621:482-497, March 2005. [2] ] I. I. Antokhin, G. Rauw, J.-M. Vreux, K. A. van der Hucht, and J. C. Brown. X-ray properties of Carina OB1 association (Antokhin+, 2008). VizieR Online Data Catalog, 347:70593-+, October 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. P. Cassinelli, and M. Maheswaran. Magnetically Fed Hot Star Keplerian Disks with Slow Out?ow. ApJ, 688:1320-1325, December 2008. [4]R. Ignace, M. B. Al-Malki, J. F. L. Simmons, J. C. Brown, D. Clarke, and J. C. Carson. Scattering polarization due to light source anisotropy. II. Envelope of arbitrary shape. A& A, 496:503-511, March 2009. [5]Q.-K. Li, J. P. Cassinelli, J. C. Brown, and R. Ignace. Polarization variability arising from clumps in the winds of Wolf-Rayet stars. Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 9:558-576, May 2009. |
| Description | Observations and theory of flare footpoint radiation |
| Organisation | University of California, Berkeley |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | defining projects, analysing observational data (e.g. RHESSI,TRACE, SDO) and some theoretical development |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with data analysis and modelling, particularly mission-oriented |
| Impact | Various collaborative papers produced, as detailed in the full list of publications |
| Description | Pulsar astrophysics |
| Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
| Department | NASA Ames Exploration Center |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | provision of plasma physics expertise and wave modelling |
| Collaborator Contribution | As for IST, Lisbon |
| Impact | pulsar papers as detailed in the publication list for the group |
| Description | Pulsar astrophysics |
| Organisation | University of Lisbon |
| Department | Department of Electrical Engineering |
| Country | Portugal |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | provision of plasma physics expertise and wave modelling |
| Collaborator Contribution | As for IST, Lisbon |
| Impact | pulsar papers as detailed in the publication list for the group |
| Description | RHESSI |
| Organisation | University of California, Berkeley |
| Department | Space Sciences Laboratory |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Leading data analysis effort |
| Collaborator Contribution | RHESSI data analysis |
| Impact | Various collaborative papers produced, as detailed in the full list of publications |
| Description | RHESSI |
| Organisation | University of California, Berkeley |
| Department | Space Sciences Laboratory |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Leading data analysis effort |
| Collaborator Contribution | RHESSI data analysis |
| Impact | Various collaborative papers produced, as detailed in the full list of publications |
| Description | RHESSI |
| Organisation | University of Warwick |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Leading data analysis effort |
| Collaborator Contribution | RHESSI data analysis |
| Impact | Various collaborative papers produced, as detailed in the full list of publications |
| Description | Solar High Energy Flare Data Modelling |
| Organisation | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki |
| Department | Physics Department |
| Country | Greece |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelength data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Papers in refereed journals: [1]J. Kasparova, E. P. Kontar, and J. C. Brown. Hard X-ray spectra and positions of solar ?ares observed by RHESSI: photospheric albedo, directivity and electron spectra. A& A, 466:705-712, May 2007. [2]E. P. Kontar, A. G. Emslie, A. M. Massone, M. Piana, J. C. Brown, and M. Prato. Electron-Electron Bremsstrahlung Emission and the Inference of Electron Flux Spectra in Solar Flares. ApJ, 670:857- 861, November 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. Kasparova, A. M. Massone, and M. Piana. Fast spectral ?tting of hard X-ray bremsstrahlung from truncated power-law electron spectra. A& A, 486:1023-1029, August 2008. [4]S. Stoiser, J. C. Brown, and A. M. Veronig. RHESSI Micro?ares: II. Implications for Loop Structure and Evolution. Sol. Phys., 250:315-328, August 2008. [5]J. C. Brown, R. Turkmani, E. P. Kontar, A. L. MacKinnon, and L. Vlahos. Local re-acceleration and a modi?ed thick target model of solar ?are electrons. A& A, 508:993-1000, December 2009. [6]J. C. Brown, P. C. V. Mallik, and N. R. Badnell. Non-thermal recombination - a neglected source of ?are hard X-rays and fast electron diagnostics (Corrigendum). A& A, 515:C1+, June 2010. International recognition of expertise in this area; collaborative visits and organising of workshops. |
| Description | Solar High Energy Flare Data Modelling |
| Organisation | Astronomical Institute Czech Republic |
| Department | Department of Solar Physics |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelength data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Papers in refereed journals: [1]J. Kasparova, E. P. Kontar, and J. C. Brown. Hard X-ray spectra and positions of solar ?ares observed by RHESSI: photospheric albedo, directivity and electron spectra. A& A, 466:705-712, May 2007. [2]E. P. Kontar, A. G. Emslie, A. M. Massone, M. Piana, J. C. Brown, and M. Prato. Electron-Electron Bremsstrahlung Emission and the Inference of Electron Flux Spectra in Solar Flares. ApJ, 670:857- 861, November 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. Kasparova, A. M. Massone, and M. Piana. Fast spectral ?tting of hard X-ray bremsstrahlung from truncated power-law electron spectra. A& A, 486:1023-1029, August 2008. [4]S. Stoiser, J. C. Brown, and A. M. Veronig. RHESSI Micro?ares: II. Implications for Loop Structure and Evolution. Sol. Phys., 250:315-328, August 2008. [5]J. C. Brown, R. Turkmani, E. P. Kontar, A. L. MacKinnon, and L. Vlahos. Local re-acceleration and a modi?ed thick target model of solar ?are electrons. A& A, 508:993-1000, December 2009. [6]J. C. Brown, P. C. V. Mallik, and N. R. Badnell. Non-thermal recombination - a neglected source of ?are hard X-rays and fast electron diagnostics (Corrigendum). A& A, 515:C1+, June 2010. International recognition of expertise in this area; collaborative visits and organising of workshops. |
| Description | Solar High Energy Flare Data Modelling |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelength data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Papers in refereed journals: [1]J. Kasparova, E. P. Kontar, and J. C. Brown. Hard X-ray spectra and positions of solar ?ares observed by RHESSI: photospheric albedo, directivity and electron spectra. A& A, 466:705-712, May 2007. [2]E. P. Kontar, A. G. Emslie, A. M. Massone, M. Piana, J. C. Brown, and M. Prato. Electron-Electron Bremsstrahlung Emission and the Inference of Electron Flux Spectra in Solar Flares. ApJ, 670:857- 861, November 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. Kasparova, A. M. Massone, and M. Piana. Fast spectral ?tting of hard X-ray bremsstrahlung from truncated power-law electron spectra. A& A, 486:1023-1029, August 2008. [4]S. Stoiser, J. C. Brown, and A. M. Veronig. RHESSI Micro?ares: II. Implications for Loop Structure and Evolution. Sol. Phys., 250:315-328, August 2008. [5]J. C. Brown, R. Turkmani, E. P. Kontar, A. L. MacKinnon, and L. Vlahos. Local re-acceleration and a modi?ed thick target model of solar ?are electrons. A& A, 508:993-1000, December 2009. [6]J. C. Brown, P. C. V. Mallik, and N. R. Badnell. Non-thermal recombination - a neglected source of ?are hard X-rays and fast electron diagnostics (Corrigendum). A& A, 515:C1+, June 2010. International recognition of expertise in this area; collaborative visits and organising of workshops. |
| Description | Solar High Energy Flare Data Modelling |
| Organisation | Kentucky State University |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelength data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Papers in refereed journals: [1]J. Kasparova, E. P. Kontar, and J. C. Brown. Hard X-ray spectra and positions of solar ?ares observed by RHESSI: photospheric albedo, directivity and electron spectra. A& A, 466:705-712, May 2007. [2]E. P. Kontar, A. G. Emslie, A. M. Massone, M. Piana, J. C. Brown, and M. Prato. Electron-Electron Bremsstrahlung Emission and the Inference of Electron Flux Spectra in Solar Flares. ApJ, 670:857- 861, November 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. Kasparova, A. M. Massone, and M. Piana. Fast spectral ?tting of hard X-ray bremsstrahlung from truncated power-law electron spectra. A& A, 486:1023-1029, August 2008. [4]S. Stoiser, J. C. Brown, and A. M. Veronig. RHESSI Micro?ares: II. Implications for Loop Structure and Evolution. Sol. Phys., 250:315-328, August 2008. [5]J. C. Brown, R. Turkmani, E. P. Kontar, A. L. MacKinnon, and L. Vlahos. Local re-acceleration and a modi?ed thick target model of solar ?are electrons. A& A, 508:993-1000, December 2009. [6]J. C. Brown, P. C. V. Mallik, and N. R. Badnell. Non-thermal recombination - a neglected source of ?are hard X-rays and fast electron diagnostics (Corrigendum). A& A, 515:C1+, June 2010. International recognition of expertise in this area; collaborative visits and organising of workshops. |
| Description | Solar High Energy Flare Data Modelling |
| Organisation | University of Geneva |
| Department | Section of Mathematics |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelength data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Papers in refereed journals: [1]J. Kasparova, E. P. Kontar, and J. C. Brown. Hard X-ray spectra and positions of solar ?ares observed by RHESSI: photospheric albedo, directivity and electron spectra. A& A, 466:705-712, May 2007. [2]E. P. Kontar, A. G. Emslie, A. M. Massone, M. Piana, J. C. Brown, and M. Prato. Electron-Electron Bremsstrahlung Emission and the Inference of Electron Flux Spectra in Solar Flares. ApJ, 670:857- 861, November 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. Kasparova, A. M. Massone, and M. Piana. Fast spectral ?tting of hard X-ray bremsstrahlung from truncated power-law electron spectra. A& A, 486:1023-1029, August 2008. [4]S. Stoiser, J. C. Brown, and A. M. Veronig. RHESSI Micro?ares: II. Implications for Loop Structure and Evolution. Sol. Phys., 250:315-328, August 2008. [5]J. C. Brown, R. Turkmani, E. P. Kontar, A. L. MacKinnon, and L. Vlahos. Local re-acceleration and a modi?ed thick target model of solar ?are electrons. A& A, 508:993-1000, December 2009. [6]J. C. Brown, P. C. V. Mallik, and N. R. Badnell. Non-thermal recombination - a neglected source of ?are hard X-rays and fast electron diagnostics (Corrigendum). A& A, 515:C1+, June 2010. International recognition of expertise in this area; collaborative visits and organising of workshops. |
| Description | Solar High Energy Flare Data Modelling |
| Organisation | University of Graz |
| Department | Institute of Physics |
| Country | Austria |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelength data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Papers in refereed journals: [1]J. Kasparova, E. P. Kontar, and J. C. Brown. Hard X-ray spectra and positions of solar ?ares observed by RHESSI: photospheric albedo, directivity and electron spectra. A& A, 466:705-712, May 2007. [2]E. P. Kontar, A. G. Emslie, A. M. Massone, M. Piana, J. C. Brown, and M. Prato. Electron-Electron Bremsstrahlung Emission and the Inference of Electron Flux Spectra in Solar Flares. ApJ, 670:857- 861, November 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. Kasparova, A. M. Massone, and M. Piana. Fast spectral ?tting of hard X-ray bremsstrahlung from truncated power-law electron spectra. A& A, 486:1023-1029, August 2008. [4]S. Stoiser, J. C. Brown, and A. M. Veronig. RHESSI Micro?ares: II. Implications for Loop Structure and Evolution. Sol. Phys., 250:315-328, August 2008. [5]J. C. Brown, R. Turkmani, E. P. Kontar, A. L. MacKinnon, and L. Vlahos. Local re-acceleration and a modi?ed thick target model of solar ?are electrons. A& A, 508:993-1000, December 2009. [6]J. C. Brown, P. C. V. Mallik, and N. R. Badnell. Non-thermal recombination - a neglected source of ?are hard X-rays and fast electron diagnostics (Corrigendum). A& A, 515:C1+, June 2010. International recognition of expertise in this area; collaborative visits and organising of workshops. |
| Description | Solar High Energy Flare Data Modelling |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelngth data. Writing of papers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mathematical physics aspects of theory and modelling of multi-wavelength data. Writing of papers |
| Impact | Papers in refereed journals: [1]J. Kasparova, E. P. Kontar, and J. C. Brown. Hard X-ray spectra and positions of solar ?ares observed by RHESSI: photospheric albedo, directivity and electron spectra. A& A, 466:705-712, May 2007. [2]E. P. Kontar, A. G. Emslie, A. M. Massone, M. Piana, J. C. Brown, and M. Prato. Electron-Electron Bremsstrahlung Emission and the Inference of Electron Flux Spectra in Solar Flares. ApJ, 670:857- 861, November 2007. [3]J. C. Brown, J. Kasparova, A. M. Massone, and M. Piana. Fast spectral ?tting of hard X-ray bremsstrahlung from truncated power-law electron spectra. A& A, 486:1023-1029, August 2008. [4]S. Stoiser, J. C. Brown, and A. M. Veronig. RHESSI Micro?ares: II. Implications for Loop Structure and Evolution. Sol. Phys., 250:315-328, August 2008. [5]J. C. Brown, R. Turkmani, E. P. Kontar, A. L. MacKinnon, and L. Vlahos. Local re-acceleration and a modi?ed thick target model of solar ?are electrons. A& A, 508:993-1000, December 2009. [6]J. C. Brown, P. C. V. Mallik, and N. R. Badnell. Non-thermal recombination - a neglected source of ?are hard X-rays and fast electron diagnostics (Corrigendum). A& A, 515:C1+, June 2010. International recognition of expertise in this area; collaborative visits and organising of workshops. |
| Description | Solar Prominence Formation and Equilibrium: New Data, New Models |
| Organisation | International Space Science Institute (ISSI) |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exchanging data and techniques, collaborating on authorship of papers, organisation of workshops. |
| Collaborator Contribution | exchange of data, analysis and modelling techniques, and direct contributions in research papers published (listed in the group total publications) |
| Impact | Several papers have resulted; they appear in our group publication list (and include the name Labrosse). |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Solar chromospheric observations and modelling |
| Organisation | Paris Institute of Astrophysics |
| Department | Solar and Stellar Physics |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | contributions to data analysis, modelling, programming... |
| Collaborator Contribution | exchange of data, analysis and modelling techniques, and direct contributions in research papers published |
| Impact | numerous papers, included in group publication list. |
| Description | Solar chromospheric observations and modelling |
| Organisation | University of Catania |
| Department | Department of Physics and Astronomy |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | contributions to data analysis, modelling, programming... |
| Collaborator Contribution | exchange of data, analysis and modelling techniques, and direct contributions in research papers published |
| Impact | numerous papers, included in group publication list. |
| Description | Solar chromospheric observations and modelling |
| Organisation | University of Central Lancashire |
| Department | Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | contributions to data analysis, modelling, programming... |
| Collaborator Contribution | exchange of data, analysis and modelling techniques, and direct contributions in research papers published |
| Impact | numerous papers, included in group publication list. |
| Description | Solar chromospheric observations and modelling |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | contributions to data analysis, modelling, programming... |
| Collaborator Contribution | exchange of data, analysis and modelling techniques, and direct contributions in research papers published |
| Impact | numerous papers, included in group publication list. |
| Description | Solar flares in Lyman alpha and H alpha (part of SOLAIRE - FP6 project) |
| Organisation | Catania Astrophysical Observatory |
| Department | Solar Research |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | defining projects, analysing observational data (e.g. RHESSI,TRACE, SDO) and data interpretation |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with data analysis and modelling |
| Impact | Joint supervision of a PhD student (Rubio da Costa, graduated March 2011), and various collaborative papers produced, as detailed in the full list of publications |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Solar flares in Lyman alpha and H alpha (part of SOLAIRE - FP6 project) |
| Organisation | Max Planck Society |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | defining projects, analysing observational data (e.g. RHESSI,TRACE, SDO) and data interpretation |
| Collaborator Contribution | assistance with data analysis and modelling |
| Impact | Joint supervision of a PhD student (Rubio da Costa, graduated March 2011), and various collaborative papers produced, as detailed in the full list of publications |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Solar image processing |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | selection of topics for investigation, provision of solar data, and contributions to publications |
| Collaborator Contribution | mathematical methods |
| Impact | Various collaborative papers produced, as detailed in the full list of publications, plus collaboration on supervision of one Glasgow University MSc. student (Gill) and one Glasgow University PhD student (Watson) |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Title | PLASMA GENERATION AND USE OF PLASMA GENERATION APPARATUS |
| Description | A plasma generating apparatus comprises a first, powered electrode and a second electrode structure located in front of the first electrode. An insulating layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode structure. The second electrode structure has a plurality of second electrode portions defining gap portions there between. The width of the gap portions is w. The second electrode portions each have a forward surface and the gap portions each having a forward surface, the height difference between the forward surface of each second electrode portion and the forward surfaces of the adjacent gap portions being h, and wherein h is at most 1 mm and the ratio w/h is at least 1. Thus, the forward surfaces of the second electrode portions and the forward surfaces of the gap portions together provide a smooth topography. The plasma generated by the apparatus (in air or other oxygen-containing gas) forms ozone, which can be used to treat foodstuffs, for example. The smooth topography allows substantially all of the plasma to be generated inside a package whose wall is pressed towards the second electrode structure. |
| IP Reference | WO2011055113 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2011 |
| Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
| Impact | creation of a commercial company, with venture capital backing |
| Company Name | Anacail Ltd |
| Description | An SME using cold plasma technology to generate gaseous biocide, used in food and medical device industries. Unique selling point is that our technology can decontaminate sealed packages without opening them, using the gases already sealed inside. |
| Year Established | 2011 |
| Impact | Generated new employment, major food manufacturer has purchased machine for evaluation at food production line, secured funding from venture capitalists and also from TSB/Innovate UK competitions (most recently, Biomedical Catalyst). |
| Website | http://anacail.com |
| Description | Public talks |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Numerous talks by group members (averaging at least 2 per month) to audiences ranging from ~10 to >100, including Glasgow Science Centre, amateur societies, local and national science festivals. Group members get repeated invitations to give such talks, anecdotally societies tell us that the talks have gone over very well and prompted discussion (and even encouraged new members to join). Occasionally there are write-ups in local press. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010,2011 |
| Description | School visits and planetarium programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | We ran weekly outreach visits, and monthly planetarium sessions/tours of our teaching observatory. Over the whole programme, we must have engaged with hundreds of school pupils, and certainly sparked many discussions and questions after each session. Outreach training (ie Roberts Training) of STFC pg students; creation of the Scottish Solar System project; Science Fair projects on debunking Moon Hoax theories; Bradford Robotic telescope funding; many activities under the IYA with Astronomer Royal for Scotland; promotion of historic astronomical sites within locality; development of multimedia resources for SQA examinations. We also have many work-placement school pupils visiting each year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010 |
| Description | food safety forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Generated commercial interest in our technology currently in negotiation with commercial partners who were present at the forum |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |