On the Thermal and Magnetic Properties of an Active Region Jet

Abstract Jets, as an essential manifestation of the release of the free magnetic energy, are ubiquitous in the solar atmosphere. We present a comprehensive analysis of a multithermal blowout jet that occurred in active region AR 13102 on 2022 September 20, using observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly, SDO/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, and Solar Upper Transition Region Imager. The jet is initiated by compact brightenings at its footpoints and exhibits a curtain-like spire with apparent rotational and weak lateral whipping motions. Time–distance analysis reveals a projected axial velocity ∼300 km s −1 and a rotational speed ∼30 km s −1 . Differential emission measure analysis shows that the jet plasma spans a broad temperature range, with hot (≳10 MK) plasma concentrated near the flare loops and jet base and cooler components extending along the spire. Using the derived kinetic and thermal properties, we conclude that there is an equipartition between the jet’s kinetic energy (5.4 ± 2.4) × 10 20 J and thermal energy (7.0 ± 3.6) × 10 20 J. HMI vector magnetograms and nonlinear force-free field extrapolations reveal that the jet originates from a compact mixed-polarity region at the edge of the active region, where flux emergence and cancellation, a low-lying twisted magnetic flux rope with a maximum twist number of ∼2.1, and a surrounding high- Q quasi-separatrix layer are present. The observed decrease in twist after the eruption, together with the jet’s untwisting, indicates that the jet is driven by the eruption and the reconnection of the twisted flux rope, converting magnetic free energy into plasma heating and bulk motion. Our results highlight the importance of small-scale flux rope eruptions in driving blowout jets and releasing twist through magnetic reconnection and untwisting motions.