Large Amplitude Switchback Turbulence: Possible Magnetic Velocity Alignment Structures

TL;DR

This study analyzes magnetic and plasma fluctuations within solar wind switchbacks, revealing magnetic dominance and potential magnetic-velocity alignment structures, advancing understanding of their turbulence characteristics.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the fluctuation properties inside switchbacks, highlighting magnetic dominance and possible alignment structures using Parker Solar Probe data.

Findings

Switchbacks exhibit more magnetically dominated fluctuations.

Distribution patterns suggest possible magnetic-velocity alignment structures.

Results enhance understanding of switchback turbulence formation.

Abstract

Switchbacks are widely acknowledged phenomena observed by the Parker Solar Probe and appear to occur in patches. Previous studies focused on the fluctuations at the magnetic reversals. However, the nature of the fluctuations inside the switchbacks remains unknown. Here we utilize the magnetic field data and plasma data measured by the Parker Solar Probe in the first four encounters. We investigate the fluctuations in the switchback intervals of 100 s with BR>0 at every instant and compare them to the fluctuations in the nonswitchback intervals of 100 s with theta_RB>160o at every instant. We calculate normalized cross-helicity sigma_c, normalized residual energy sigma_r, correlation coefficient C_vb between dvA and dv, Alfven ratio rA, and the amplitude of magnetic and kinetic fluctuations. We find that the switchback intervals exhibit a distribution of sigma_c similar with the nonswitchback intervals. However, the rA of switchback intervals is around 0.35, while the nonswitchback intervals have rA around 0.65, indicating the fluctuations in the switchbacks are more magnetically dominated. We also find that the distribution pattern of pixel average amplitude of both dvA and dv of switchback intervals in the C_vb-sigma_r plane show a vertical stripe feature at C_vb>0.8, illustrating the possible magnetically dominant magnetic-velocity alignment structure. These results will help us to understand the nature and the formation of the switchback turbulence.