X-Ray Spectroscopy via Temporal Decomposition
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: We present a novel way to fit solar flare X-ray spectra that offers more sensitivity to physical flare parameters than traditional approaches to spectroscopy for certain types of flares. We decouple physically distinct emission types in solar flare X-ray spectra using timing behaviors, a technique we call temporal decomposition. By fitting time series to basis series across a time interval, we extract X-ray emission of distinct physical origins before any forward spectral modeling. We then perform spectroscopy on the original and time-decomposed spectra and find good agreement. In general, the time decomposition technique provides more precise results than those of traditional spectroscopy. We explain mathematically why the technique works using the multifractal formalism, and show that fractality is one way to choose appropriate light curves for this analysis. We speculate about applications to different wavelengths for solar data analysis, as well as applications to other physics subfields and domains.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Authors: William Setterberg, Lindsay Glesener
Institution: University of Minnesota
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W7147315669