Observations of Transition from Imbalanced to Balanced Kinetic Alfvénic Turbulence

The Astrophysical Journal Letters 2026 Open access

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Authors: Jinsong Zhao, Trevor A. Bowen, Stuart D. Bale, Chen Shi, Thierry Dudok de Wit, Nikos Sioulas
DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae4515
Cited by: 0
References: 80

Abstract

Abstract We report observations of solar wind turbulence derived from measurements by the Parker Solar Probe. Our findings reveal the emergence of finite magnetic helicity within the transition range of the turbulence, aligning with signatures of kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs). Notably, as the wave scale transitions from superion to subion scales, the ratio between KAWs with opposite signs of magnetic helicity initially increases from approximately one to 6.5, before decreasing back to one. This observation provides, for the first time, compelling evidence for the transition from imbalanced to balanced kinetic Alfvénic turbulence.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics Magnetic confinement fusion research

Publication details

Journal / source
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume
999
Issue
1
Pages
L21–L21
Publication date
27 February 2026
Language
EN