Generalized similarity in finite range solar wind magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

Abstract

Extended or generalized similarity is a ubiquitous but not well understood feature of turbulence that is realized over a finite range of scales. ULYSSES spacecraft solar polar passes at solar minimum provide \textit{in situ} observations of evolving anisotropic magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in the solar wind under ideal conditions of fast quiet flow. We find a single generalized scaling function characterises this finite range turbulence and is insensitive to plasma conditions. The recent unusually inactive solar minimum -with turbulent fluctuations down by a factor of $\sim 2$ in power- provides a test of this invariance.

Accepted for publication in PRL Nov 2009

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• Turbulent characteristics in the intensity fluctuations of a solar quiescent prominence observed by the \textit{Hinode} Solar Optical Telescope
• The scale-free texture of the fast solar wind
• Impact of observational uncertainties on universal scaling of MHD turbulence
• Controlling excitation avalanches in driven Rydberg gases