Flux tubes and energetic particles in Parker Solar Probe: The magnetic helicity-PVI method and ISoIS observations

Francesco Pecora

University of Delaware, Università della Calabria - f.pecora11@gmail.com

Plasma turbulence can be viewed as a magnetic landscape of large- and small-scale structures, such as magnetic flux tubes and their boundaries. Interactions of particles with turbulence may involve temporary trapping in, as well as exclusion from, certain regions of space; generally controlled by the topology of the magnetic field. With Parker Solar Probe, novel opportunities are available for studying the relationship between magnetic flux structures and energetic particle populations closer to the sun than ever before.

We present a synergistic use of the magnetic helicity-partial variance of increments (PVI) method paired with ISoIS observations of energetic particles (EPs). Magnetic helicity detects large-scale helical flux tubes, while PVI identifies their boundaries. We find that helical flux tubes, accompanied by bounding large-PVI patches, act as hard boundaries that guide EP transport either confining populations within the helical field, or excluding them from entering it.