Observation of Large-Scale Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability Wave Driven by a Coronal Mass Ejection

TL;DR

This study reports the first observation of large-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz instability waves in the upper solar corona, driven by a fast CME, with evidence of vortex development and agreement with theoretical growth rates.

Contribution

First observational evidence of large-scale KHI waves in the upper corona during a CME, expanding understanding of instability development in solar plasma.

Findings

KHI waves observed from 6 to 14 solar radii during a CME event.

KHI evolved into nonlinear vortices along the CME flank.

Growth rate of KHI matches theoretical predictions.

Abstract

The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) can occur when there is a relative motion between two adjacent fluids. In the case of magnetized plasma, the shear velocity must exceed the local Alfv\'{e}n speed for the instability to develop. The KHI produces nonlinear waves that eventually roll up into vortices and contribute to turbulence and dissipation. In the solar atmosphere KHI has been detected in coronal mass ejections (CMEs), jets, and prominences, mainly in the low corona. Only a few studies have reported the KHI in the upper corona, and its vortex development there has not been previously observed. We report the event with large-scale KHI waves observed from $\sim 6$ to 14~$R_{\odot}$ on 2024-Feb-16 using SOHO/LASCO and STEREO-A coronagraphs. KHI appeared during the passage of a fast CME and evolved into the nonlinear stage showing evidence of vortices. A closely timed subsequent CME in the same region has further developed the fully nonlinear KHI waves along its flank. We find that the radial speed of the CMEs exceeds the estimated local Alfven speed obtained from in-situ Parker Solar Probe (PSP) magnetic field data at perihelia. We propose that such events are rare because the fast CME created specific conditions favorable for instability growth in its trailing edge, including radial elongation of magnetic-field lines, reduced plasma density, and enhanced velocity and magnetic-field shear along the developing interface. The observed growth rate of KHI wave is in qualitative agreement with the theoretical predictions.