SPECTRAL DIAGNOSTICS OF THE ENERGETIC PARTICLES IN SOLAR FLARES

Non-LTE calculations, with the non-thermal ionization effects included, indicated that for electron bombardment, the H$\alpha$ line is widely broadened and shows a strong central reversal. Significant enhancements at the line wings of Ly$\alpha$ and Ly$\beta$ are also predicted at the beginning of the impulsive phase of flares. For the proton bombardment, no strong broadening and no large central reversal are expected. However, due to proton-hydrogen charge exchange, the enhancements at the red wings of Ly$\alpha$ and Ly$\beta$ lines at the early impulsive phase of flares are significant. Our results show that the electron beam can also in some cases generate visible and UV continuum emission in white-light flares. However, at the onset phase, a negative flare may appear within several seconds, due to the increase of the H- opacity. Another spectroscopic signature of energetic particles, i.e. the impact polarization of atomic lines, is also mentioned.