Coronal activity in F-, G-, and K-type stars. IV - Evidence for expanding loop geometries in stellar coronae

A detailed analysis is presented of X-ray spectra of Capella and of Sigma2 CrB. The spectra of both stars are compatible with coronae consisting of two different ensembles of static loops with different maximum temperatures and ratios of the cross sectional areas at the loop top and at the footpoint. The cool (5 MK) loop components in both stars show evidence of relatively strong expansion with height. The hot (30 MK) components appear to expand much less.