The primary purpose of the proposed research is the determination of the requirement for acceleration of particles, especially electrons during solar flares, which is as yet an unsolved problem. Theoretical studies will be made of the interaction of accelerated particles with ambient plasma including interactions with particles, waves, and large scale magnetic fields. Comparison with observed impulsive phase radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves and type III radiation is used for constraining the models and for determination of the characteristics of the accelerated particles. Comparison will be made with both old and new observations as they become available during the next solar maximum, with the goal of obtaining more realistic models and furthering investigation of the acceleration process. Results from this research should have direct application to other areas of scientific research including solar terrestrial relations, magnetospheric physics, stellar flares, gamma ray bursts and activity in galactic nuclei.
