Solar Cosmic Rays at High Energies

Abstract

This chapter contains available observational data and recent theoretical results concerning astrophysical aspects of particle acceleration at the Sun and extreme capacities of the solar accelerator(s). The list of the problems under consideration includes: relative energy release of solar flare in the form of solar cosmic rays (SCR), their total energetics; maximum production rate of the Sun as to total amount of accelerated particles; their maximum rigidity, Rm, as one of the crucial parameters in any acceleration model; adequate configuration (structure and extension) of the coronal magnetic fields as a decisive condition for effective acceleration of particles to extremely high energy of order 100 GeV and even more (for protons); occurrence probability of gigantic flares; production of flare neutrinos; flare distribution on proton fluences; flare distribution on proton flux at rigidity above 1 GV, etc. The most reliable estimates of various parameters are given in some of the research fields mentioned above.