Scale-free texture of the fast solar wind

B. Hnat*, S. C. Chapman, G. Gogoberidze, R. T. Wicks

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The higher-order statistics of magnetic field magnitude fluctuations in the fast quiet solar wind are quantified systematically, scale by scale. We find a single global non-Gaussian scale-free behavior from minutes to over 5 h. This spans the signature of an inertial range of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence and a ∼1/f range in magnetic field components. This global scaling in field magnitude fluctuations is an intrinsic component of the underlying texture of the solar wind and puts a strong constraint on any theory of solar corona and the heliosphere. Intriguingly, the magnetic field and velocity components show scale-dependent dynamic alignment outside of the inertial range.

Original languageEnglish
Article number065401
JournalPhysical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
Volume84
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Dec 2011
Externally publishedYes

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