Pair separation of magnetic elements in the quiet Sun

TL;DR

This study analyzes the dispersion of magnetic elements in the quiet Sun using high-resolution Hinode data, revealing super-diffusive behavior and initial separation effects over large scales.

Contribution

It extends the analysis of magnetic element pair dispersion to unprecedented spatial and temporal scales and investigates the impact of initial separation on pair dynamics.

Findings

Super-diffusive pair separation spectrum with spectral index 1.55

Identification of a typical initial separation scale affecting pair dispersion

Extended understanding of magnetic element dynamics from granular to supergranular scales

Abstract

The dynamic properties of the quiet Sun photosphere can be investigated by analyzing the pair dispersion of small-scale magnetic fields (i.e., magnetic elements). By using $25$ hr-long Hinode magnetograms at high spatial resolution ($0".3$), we tracked $68,490$ magnetic element pairs within a supergranular cell near the disk center. The computed pair separation spectrum, calculated on the whole set of particle pairs independently of their initial separation, points out what is known as a super-diffusive regime with spectral index $\gamma=1.55\pm0.05$, in agreement with the most recent literature, but extended to unprecedented spatial and temporal scales (from granular to supergranular). Furthermore, for the first time, we investigated here the spectrum of the mean square displacement of pairs of magnetic elements, depending on their initial separation $r_0$. We found that there is a typical initial distance above (below) which the pair separation is faster (slower) than the average. A possible physical interpretation of such a typical spatial scale is also provided.