Observation of Higher Harmonic Coronal Loop Oscillations

A sequence of TRACE 171 AA observations taken on 2001 May 13 shows evidence of flare-induced, transverse coronal loop oscillations. We revisit this particular data set and present evidence of the presence of spatially resolved higher harmonics in the transverse loop displacements. The oscillations are identified as the second-harmonic, fast MHD kink waves (periods of 577-672 s), with higher harmonics (250-346 s) also present. The apparent absence of the fundamental mode and the fact that it is the second harmonic (P sub(2)) that dominates the oscillatory behavior of this particular loop may shed more light on either the excitation and/or the damping mechanism(s) of flare-induced, transverse loop oscillations.