Vertical dynamics of the energy release process in a simple two-ribbon flare

Observations of the quiescent filament eruption and the spotless two-ribbon flare of 12 September 2000 are presented. A simple flare morphology, large spatial scales, and a suitable viewing angle provide insight into characteristics of the energy release process which is attributed to the reconnection process in the current sheet formed below the eruptive filament. The flare ribbons appeared and started to expand laterally while the filament was still recognizable, enabling simultaneous measurements of the ribbon separation w and the height of the lower edge of the filament, h. The ratio w/h estimated for the expanding portions of ribbons indicates that the width-to-length ratio of the current sheet at the onset of the fast reconnection ranges between 1/18 and 1/9. The ribbon elements characterized by w/h > 1/6 remained stationary. The Nancay radioheliograph data in the decimeter-meter wavelengths show one group of radio bursts ahead of the filament (moving type IV burst) and another group behind the filament. The centroids of the radio sources behind the filament were confined to the region outlined by the lower edge of the filament and the magnetic inversion line, suggestive of emission from the current sheet. Sources were preferably located close to the lower edge of the filament and some appeared close to the magnetic inversion line. Two possible explanations are discussed: one in terms of the fast-mode bow shocks in the reconnection outflow jets, and another in terms of a multiple tearing of the current sheet and subsequent coalescence of plasmoids.