MHD-scale anisotropy in solar wind turbulence near the Sun using Parker solar probe data

Recent Parker Solar Probe (PSP) observations have shown the presence of sudden reversals in the radial magnetic field, known as switchbacks. Applying a method based on wavelet analysis, here we study the nature of power and spectral-index anisotropies in switchback and non-switchback intervals using PSP data. While a similar spectral-index anisotropy, consistent with critical balance, is found in the switchback and non-switchback intervals, power anisotropy is more enhanced in the non-switchback samples. This result may be attributed to the 'less developed' turbulence in the non-switchback periods.

Automated summary

This study found that there is a similar spectral-index anisotropy in switchback and non-switchback intervals, consistent with critical balance, but power anisotropy is more enhanced in the non-switchback samples, possibly due to the 'less developed' turbulence in the non-switchback periods.