He D3 as a diagnostic for the hard and soft X-rays from solar flares
The time comparison of He D3 and X-ray emission has been studied in a number of medium-sized flares. In most cases there is a good agreement between the time histories of the He D3 emission and the high-temperature (about 2 keV) thermal source. The most intense He D3 emission comes from two small regions on either side of the neutral line, which are identified with the footpoints of magnetic structures in which a hot (2.3 x 10 to the 7th K) thermal plasma is formed. The impulsive X-ray event is marked by the transient brightening of a number of (usually weaker) He D3 sources. The two types of sources are well displaced from each other, which is an indication that they are produced in two different volumes. In some cases a long-lived third He D3 source is seen.