Nonlinear Ion-acoustic Waves, Ion Holes, and Electron Holes in the Near-Sun Solar Wind

Nonlinear ion-acoustic waves, ion holes, and electron holes have been observed on the Parker Solar Probe at a heliocentric distance of 35 solar radii. These time domain structures contain millisecond duration electric field spikes of several mV m(-1). They are observed inside or at boundaries of switchbacks in the background magnetic field. Their presence in switchbacks indicates that both electron- and ion-streaming electrostatic instabilities occur there to thermalize electron and ion beams.

Automated summary

Nonlinear ion-acoustic waves, ion holes, and electron holes have been observed on the Parker Solar Probe at a heliocentric distance of 35 solar radii. These structures contain electric field spikes of several mV m(-1) and are observed inside or at boundaries of switchbacks in the background magnetic field, indicating electrostatic instabilities occurring to thermalize electron and ion beams.