Small-scale Magnetic Flux Ropes with Field-aligned Flows via the PSP In-situ Observations

TL;DR

This study identifies and characterizes small-scale magnetic flux ropes with field-aligned flows in the inner heliosphere using Parker Solar Probe data, revealing their properties, occurrence, and relation to switchback phenomena.

Contribution

First application of Grad-Shafranov-based analysis to PSP data to detect and analyze flux ropes with field-aligned flows and their relation to switchbacks.

Findings

Flux ropes with field-aligned flows are more frequent than static ones.

These flux ropes are more common where magnetic pressure exceeds thermal pressure.

Some switchbacks are associated with flux rope-like structures.

Abstract

Magnetic flux rope, formed by the helical magnetic field lines, can sometimes remain its shape while carrying significant plasma flow that is aligned with the local magnetic field. We report the existence of such structures and static flux ropes by applying the Grad-Shafranov-based algorithm to the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) in-situ measurements in the first five encounters. These structures are detected at heliocentric distances, ranging from 0.13 to 0.66 au, in a total of 4-month time period. We find that flux ropes with field-aligned flows, although occur more frequently, have certain properties similar to those of static flux ropes, such as the decaying relations of the magnetic fields within structures with respect to heliocentric distances. Moreover, these events are more likely with magnetic pressure dominating over the thermal pressure. About one-third of events are detected in the relatively fast-speed solar wind. Taking into account the high Alfvenicity, we also compare with switchback spikes identified during three encounters and interpret their inter-relations. We find that some switchbacks can be detected when the spacecraft traverses flux rope-like structures. The cross-section maps for selected events are presented via the new Grad-Shafranov type reconstruction. Finally, the possible evolution of the magnetic flux rope structures in the inner heliosphere is discussed.