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Linear theory is a well-developed framework for characterizing instabilities in weakly collisional plasmas, such as the solar wind. In the previous installment of this series, we analyzed ∼1.5M proton and α particle velocity distribution functions (VDFs) observed by Helios I and II to determine the statistical properties of the standard instability parameters such as the growth rate, frequency, the direction of wave propagation, and the power emitted or absorbed by each component, as well as to characterize their behavior with respect to the distance from the Sun and collisional processing. In this work, we use this comprehensive set of instability calculations to train a machine-learning algorithm consisting of three interlaced components that: (1) predict if an interval is unstable from observed VDF parameters; (2) predict the instability properties for a given unstable VDF; and (3) classify the type of the unstable mode. We use these methods to map the properties in multidimensional phase space to find that the parallel-propagating, proton-core-induced ion cyclotron mode dominates the young solar wind, while the oblique fast magnetosonic mode regulates the proton beam drift in the collisionally old plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Switchbacks are rapid magnetic field reversals that last from seconds to hours. Current Parker Solar Probe (PSP) observations pose many open questions in regard to the nature of switchbacks. For example, are they stable as they propagate through the inner heliosphere, and how are they formed? In this work, we aim to investigate the structure and origin of switchbacks. In order to study the stability of switchbacks, we suppose the small-scale current sheets therein are generated by magnetic braiding, and they should work to stabilize the switchbacks. With more than 1000 switchbacks identified with PSP observations in seven encounters, we find many more current sheets inside than outside switchbacks, indicating that these microstructures should work to stabilize the S-shape structures of switchbacks. Additionally, we study the helium variations to trace the switchbacks to their origins. We find both helium-rich and helium-poor populations in switchbacks, implying that the switchbacks could originate from both closed and open magnetic field regions in the Sun. Moreover, we observe that the alpha-proton differential speeds also show complex variations as compared to the local Alfvén speed. The joint distributions of both parameters show that low helium abundance together with low differential speed is the dominant state in switchbacks. The presence of small-scale current sheets in switchbacks along with the helium features are in line with the hypothesis that switchbacks could originate from the Sun via interchange reconnection process. However, other formation mechanisms are not excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]