Evolution of the Transverse Density Structure of Oscillating Coronal Loops Inferred by Forward Modeling of EUV Intensity

Recent developments in the observation and modeling of kink oscillations of coronal loops have led to heightened interest over the last few years. The modification of the Transverse Density Profile (TDP) of oscillating coronal loops by nonlinear effects, particularly the Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability (KHI), is investigated. How this evolution may be detected is established, in particular, when the KHI vortices may not be observed directly. A model for the loop's TDP is used that includes a finite inhomogeneous layer and homogeneous core, with a linear transition between them. The evolution of the loop's transverse intensity profile from numerical simulations of kink oscillations is analyzed. Bayesian inference and forward modeling techniques are applied to infer the evolution of the TDP from the intensity profiles, in a manner that may be applied to observations. The strongest observational evidence for the development of the KHI is found to be a widening of the loop's inhomogeneous layer, which may be inferred for sufficiently well resolved loops, i.e., >15 data points across the loop. The main signatures when observing the core of the loop (for this specific loop model) during the oscillation are a widening inhomogeneous layer, decreasing intensity, an unchanged radius, and visible fine transverse structuring when the resolution is sufficient. The appearance of these signatures are delayed for loops with wider inhomogeneous layers, and quicker for loops oscillating at higher amplitudes. These cases should also result in stronger observational signatures, with visible transverse structuring appearing for wide loops observed at the resolution of current instruments.