Identification of coherent structures in space plasmas: the magnetic helicity–PVI method Article Swipe
YOU?
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· 2020
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202039639
· OA: W3092983911
Context. Plasma turbulence can be viewed as a magnetic landscape populated by large- and small-scale coherent structures. In this complex network, large helical magnetic tubes might be separated by small-scale magnetic reconnection events (current sheets). However, the identification of these magnetic structures in a continuous stream of data has always been a challenging task. Aims. Here, we present a method that is able to characterize both the large- and small-scale structures of the turbulent solar wind, based on the combined use of a filtered magnetic helicity ( H m ) and the partial variance of increments (PVI). Methods. This simple, single-spacecraft technique was first validated via direct numerical simulations of plasma turbulence and then applied to data from the Parker Solar Probe mission. Results. This novel analysis, combining H m and PVI methods, reveals that a large number of flux tubes populate the solar wind and continuously merge in contact regions where magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration may occur.
