Combined analysis of soft and hard X-ray spectra from flares

An attempt is made to develop a self-consistent model which accounts for the line and continuum data generated by the three X-ray imaging instruments on the SMM satellite. The intensities measured covered the 4-500 kV energy range. The model is based on a differential emission measure and electron beam parameters and is used to predict absolute signals detected by the 15 channels of the SMM sensors. Consideration is given to the thermal contribution, instrumental characteristics, thin target excitation and thick target bremsstrahlung. In comparison with data from a flare event on June 29, 1980, model predictions provide a good fit, including the identification of hard electrons with a 5.3 index during the impulsive phase.