The possibility that charged particles are accelerated statistically in a “sea” of small-scale interacting magnetic flux ropes in the supersonic solar wind is gaining credence. In this Letter, we extend the Zank et al. statistical transport theory for a nearly isotopic particle distribution by including an escape term corresponding to particle loss from a finite acceleration region. Steady-state 1D solutions for both the accelerated particle velocity distribution function and differential intensity are derived. We show Ulysses observations of an energetic particle flux enhancement event downstream of a shock near 5 au that is inconsistent with the predictions of classical diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) but may be explained by local acceleration associated with magnetic islands. An automated Grad-Shafranov reconstruction approach is employed to identify small-scale magnetic flux ropes behind the shock. For the first time, the observed energetic particle “time-intensity” profile and spectra are quantitatively compared with theoretical predictions. The results show that stochastic acceleration by interacting magnetic islands accounts successfully for the observed (i) peaking of particle intensities behind the shock instead of at the shock front as standard DSA predicts; (ii) increase in the particle flux amplification factor with increasing particle energy; (ii) increase in distance between the particle intensity peak and the shock front with increasing energy; and (iv) hardening of particle power-law spectra with increasing distance downstream of the shock.

An observational analysis of an atypical energetic particle event near 5 au measured by the Ulysses spacecraft is presented. A previous study has attributed the unusual enhancement of energetic proton flux to the presence of small-scale dynamic magnetic islands or flux ropes. Here, we find that the generation of these magnetic islands may be related to the interaction of a stream interaction region (SIR) and the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). Particles are accelerated and trapped within the SIR structure characterized by a forward shock–reverse wave pair. Analysis of the energetic particle intensity spectra shows that the 63 keV–4.4 MeV protons form a power-law (PL) spectrum near the shock, with a slope much steeper than predicted by the diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) theory. Double PL spectra are found in the region of unusual particle flux enhancement, and the lower energy part of the spectrum gets harder farther away from the shock. In comparison, we discuss a later forward wave–reverse wave pair with an embedded large-scale magnetic cloud (MC). In contrast to small-scale magnetic islands, the MC corresponds to a decrease in energetic proton fluxes. A power spectral density analysis suggests that the turbulence level increases in the compression regions, and the majority of the observed turbulence power resides in the two-dimensional (2D) component because the spacecraft velocity is almost perpendicular to the interplanetary magnetic field. This is consistent with the enhanced generation of magnetic flux ropes, which are instrinsic to quasi-2D MHD turbulence, in the SIR. An automatic Grad–Shafranov reconstruction technique is used to identify flux rope structures within the period of interest, and their detailed parameters are included in the paper. The observational evidence suggests that the interaction of shock/compressional waves with the HCS may be a key element in generating small-scale dynamic magnetic islands, which subsequently accelerate charged particles and complement the classical DSA mechanism.

One of the curious observations from the Voyagers is that the intensity of anomalous cosmic rays (ACRs) did not peak at the heliospheric termination shock (HTS) but instead a short distance (within ∼1 au) downstream of the HTS. One possible explanation is that the interaction of the wavy heliospheric current sheet with the HTS enhances magnetic reconnection and generates numerous small-scale magnetic flux ropes in the heliosheath immediately downstream of the HTS. Charged particles are accelerated in this region due to Fermi acceleration and the reconnection electric field. In this work, we provide observational evidence of the presence of magnetic flux ropes in the heliosheath region just downstream of the HTS using a wavelet analysis of the reduced magnetic helicity and Grad-Shafranov reconstruction techniques. The Zank et al. kinetic transport theory for particles propagating through the magnetic islands region is employed to fit the observed energetic proton intensities in the post-HTS region. Our modeling results agree reasonably well with the observations, which suggests that stochastic acceleration via reconnection processes can explain the ACR proton peak beyond the HTS.

Magnetic flux rope, formed by the helical magnetic field lines, can sometimes maintain its shape while carrying significant plasma flow that is aligned with the local magnetic field. We report the existence of such structures and static flux ropes by applying the Grad-Shafranov-based algorithm to the Parker Solar Probe in situ measurements in the first five encounters. These structures are detected at heliocentric distances, ranging from 0.13 to 0.66 au, in a 4-month time period. We find that flux ropes with field-aligned flows, although they occur more frequently, have certain properties similar to those of static flux ropes, such as the decaying relations of the magnetic fields within structures with respect to heliocentric distances. Moreover, these events are more likely with magnetic pressure dominating over the thermal pressure. About one-third of events are detected in the relatively fast solar wind. Taking into account the high Alfvénicity, we also compare with switchback spikes identified during three encounters and interpret their interrelations. We find that some switchbacks can be detected when the spacecraft traverses flux-rope-like structures. The cross-section maps for selected events are presented via the new Grad-Shafranov-type reconstruction. Finally, the possible evolution of the magnetic flux rope structures in the inner heliosphere is discussed.

Context. Aims. We systematically search for magnetic flux rope structures in the solar wind to within the closest distance to the Sun of ~0.13 AU, using data from the third and fourth orbits of the Parker Solar Probe. Methods. We extended our previous magnetic helicity-based technique of identifying magnetic flux rope structures. The method was improved upon to incorporate the azimuthal flow, which becomes larger as the spacecraft approaches the Sun. Results. A total of 21 and 34 magnetic flux ropes are identified during the third (21-day period) and fourth (17-day period) orbits of the Parker Solar Probe, respectively. We provide a statistical analysis of the identified structures, including their relation to the streamer belt and heliospheric current sheet crossing.