Imaging the Sun's near-surface flows using mode-coupling analysis

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that mode-coupling analysis can effectively image near-surface flows in the Sun, producing results consistent with established methods and offering a new seismic imaging approach.

Contribution

The study applies mode-coupling analysis in the Cartesian approximation to map solar near-surface flows, showing high correlation with existing tracking methods.

Findings

Divergence maps correlate with Pearson coefficient ≥ 0.9

Radial vorticity maps correlate with Pearson coefficient ≥ 0.8

Mode-coupling provides a viable alternative for solar flow imaging

Abstract

The technique of normal-mode coupling is a powerful tool with which to seismically image non-axisymmetric phenomena in the Sun. Here we apply mode coupling in the Cartesian approximation to probe steady, near-surface flows in the Sun. Using Doppler cubes obtained from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory, we perform inversions on mode-coupling measurements to show that the resulting divergence and radial vorticity maps at supergranular length scales ($\sim$30 Mm) near the surface compare extremely well with those obtained using the Local Correlation Tracking method. We find that the Pearson correlation coefficient is $\geq$ 0.9 for divergence flows, while $\geq$ 0.8 is obtained for the radial vorticity.