High-resolution X-ray spectra of a solar flare that occurred on 1979 March 25 are discussed. The spectra were obtained from four Bragg crystal spectrometers (SOLFLEX = solar flare X-rays) flown by NRL on a spacecraft launched by the Air Force. The wavelength ranges discussed here are: 1.82-1.97 A, 2.98-3.07 A, and 3.14-3.24 A. Electron temperatures ranging between 12 x 10 to the 6th K and 30 x 10 to the 6th K are derived from dielectronic satellite to resonance line ratios. The apparent departure from ionization equilibrium indicated by intensities of other satellite lines is discussed. Wavelengths and identifications are given for the strongest lines observed. It is proposed that the soft X-ray flare radiation is caused by the slow compression of a single or multiple set of magnetic flux tubes. Experimental methods of confirming or refuting this hypothesis are given.
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Feldman et al. (1980) studied this question.