Parameters of solar wind electron heat-flux pitch-angle distributions and IMF topologies

Pitch-angle distributions (PADs) of solar wind heat-flux (HF) electrons are used as a proxy for interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) topology. Unidirectional PADs yield IMF solar polarities, and bidirectional electron (BDE) PADs are interpreted as signatures of closed fields. A general perception exists that the directionalities are easily distinguished, clearly defining open and closed IMFs. We quantify PADs with the ratios of the HF parallel and anti-parallel to the IMF to that perpendicular to the IMF plotting these parameters against each other in a directionality distribution for six years of electron data from the 3DP experiment on the Wind satellite. This bimodal plot clearly shows the unidirectional populations, but shows no evidence for a separate bidirectional HF population. A similar plot of magnetic clouds is double-banded with no evidence of a bifurcation between bidirectional and unidirectional regimes. In conclusion, this basic parameterization shows no distinction between open and closed field topologies.