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An information-theory examination of the upstream-turbulence effect in solar-wind/magnetosphere coupling
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DOI：10.3389/fphy.2026.1768466.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Introduction Correlations between upstream solar-wind turbulence-measured by the amplitude of magnetic-field fluctuations (Delta B/B)-and increases in geomagnetic activity have been reported by many research groups. However, questions remain as to whether this relationship reflects a true cause-and-effect interaction. This study investigates whether solar-wind turbulence exerts a causal influence on the magnetosphere.Methods Transfer entropy (TE) was used as a quantitative measure of causality to evaluate information transfer from Delta B/B to geomagnetic indices AE and Dst. The magnitude and lag time (tau) of information transfer were compared with those derived from solar wind velocity (Vsw) and from reconnection-driven Rquick and Newell solar wind coupling functions.Results The analysis shows that Delta B/B exerts a real but weak causal influence on the magnetosphere, operating over relatively long time scales. Information transfer from Delta B/B to AE and Dst is approximately an order of magnitude smaller and peaks at larger lag times than transfers from Rquick and Newell solar wind coupling functions. In contrast, the lag times for information transfer from Delta B/B and Vsw to AE and Dst are comparable. The information transfer from Delta B/B to AE is approximately 45% of that from Vsw, while the transfer from Delta B/B to Dst is about an order of magnitude smaller than that from Vsw.Discussion The similarity in response times between Delta B/B and Vsw suggests that turbulence interacts with the magnetosphere primarily through viscous-like processes rather than reconnection-driven mechanisms. Although both Delta B/B and Vsw influence the magnetosphere through viscous interactions, Delta B/B exhibits lower geoeffectiveness. These findings indicate that solar wind turbulence affects different magnetospheric regions and phenomena to varying degrees and confirm that its influence, while real, is relatively weak.
Keywords:
solar wind-magnetosphere coupling
geomagnetic activity
solar wind turbulence
information theory
transfer entropy
time scale
reconnection
viscous interaction
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