Self-similar signature of the active solar corona within the inertial range of solar-wind turbulence

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 May 25;98(21):211101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.211101. Epub 2007 May 23.

Abstract

We quantify the scaling of magnetic energy density in the inertial range of solar-wind turbulence seen in situ at 1 AU with respect to solar activity. At solar maximum, when the coronal magnetic field is dynamic and topologically complex, we find self-similar scaling in the solar wind, whereas at solar minimum, when the coronal fields are more ordered, we find multifractality. This quantifies the solar-wind signature that is of direct coronal origin and distinguishes it from that of local MHD turbulence, with quantitative implications for coronal heating of the solar wind.