Decomposing wave activity in the solar atmosphere

Shocks, jets, and swirls in the quiet Sun

¹ Rosseland Centre for Solar physics,Universitetet i Oslo, Sem Sælands vei 13, 0371 Oslo, Norway
² Institutt for Teoretisk Astrofysikk, Universitetet i Oslo, Sem Sælands vei 13, 0371 Oslo, Norway
³ Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris Cité, CEA, CNRS, AIM, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France

^★ Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 12 September 2025
Accepted: 14 November 2025

Abstract

Context. There remains much mystery about how wave energy in the photosphere can be transferred sufficiently upward through the solar atmosphere to contribute to coronal heating. In light of a plethora of theoretical and idealised studies, we must complement our understanding with realistic and self-driven simulations in order to confidently quantify such contributions.

Aims. In this study we aim to connect wave drivers in the photosphere with their impact on the low corona, transitions, and dissipation mechanisms. We analyse the effects of the presence of twisted magnetic features and vortical flows on the transport of such wave modes as the structures evolve.

Methods. We adopted the most significant frequency (MSF) decomposition method to trace wave activity through a 3D realistic quiet Sun simulation. We focused on vertical and temporal evolution, identifying wave sources and shifts in the dominant modes.

Results. We identify two frequencies, at 3.5 and 5 mHz, that connect oscillations in the upper convection zone to the dynamics in the solar atmosphere. We see distinct differences in the absence and presence of swirling structures on the upward propagation of these oscillations. Furthermore, we validate the use of the highest MSF bin as a proxy for the location of shocks in the chromosphere and use the results to understand the connection between shocks and the propagation of oscillations in the upper atmosphere. We discuss the relation of energy transfer via shocks, mode conversion, and jets. Finally, we find the contribution of 3.5 and 5 mHz signals to the overall wave power in the domain to be significant, up to 50%.