Magnetic Field-line Length and Twist Distributions within Interplanetary Flux Fopes from Wind Spacecraft Measurements

We report on the detailed and systematic study of field-line twist and length distributions within magnetic flux ropes embedded in Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs). In particular we will utilize energetic electron burst observations at 1 AU together with associated type III radio emissions detected by the Wind spacecraft to provide unique measurements of magnetic field-line lengths within selected ICME events. These direct measurements will be compared with flux-rope model calculations to help assess the fidelity of different models and to provide diagnostics of internal structures. The Grad-Shafranov reconstruction method will be utilized together with a constant-twist nonlinear force-free (Gold-Hoyle) flux rope model and the commonly known Lundquist (linear force-free) model to reveal the close relation between the field-line twist and length in cylindrical flux ropes, based on in-situ Wind spacecraft magnetic field and plasma measurements. We show that our initial analysis of field-line twist indicates clear deviation from the Lundquist model, but better consistency with the Gold-Hoyle model. We will also discuss the implications of our analysis of flux-rope structures on the origination and evolution processes in their corresponding solar source regions.

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