Authors: Mingzhe Liu (SSL/UC Berkeley), Jia Huang(SSL/UC Berkeley), Davin Larson (SSL/UC Berkeley), Stuart Bale (SSL/UC Berkeley), Roberto Livi(SSL/UC Berkeley), Marc Pulupa (SSL/UC Berkeley), Ali Rahmati (SSL/UC Berkeley), Orlando Romeo (SSL/UC Berkeley), Samer Alnussirat (SSL/UC Berkeley), Phyllis Whittlesey (SSL/UC Berkeley)

Our recent statistical analysis using Parker Solar Probe (PSP) data revealed the prevalence of highly Alfvénic slow solar wind (HASSW) close to the Sun, raising several open questions about its origin, acceleration, and thermodynamic evolution. Motivated by these findings, we present ongoing work using improved plasma measurements from PSP Encounters 22 and 23, during which the spacecraft reached heliocentric distances as close as ~9.8 Rs. The high transverse velocity of PSP (~191 km/s) during these perihelia allows SPAN-Ion to capture nearly the full solar wind ion distribution, enabling more accurate determinations of bulk velocity, temperature anisotropy, and helium abundance. By combining data from SWEAP/SPAN-I and FIELDS, we investigate the occurrence and properties of HASSW in these recent encounters, with particular emphasis on the variability of its plasma signatures and the diversity of its potential source regions. We will present detailed case studies and discuss how these new measurements provide insight into the generation, heating, and acceleration of HASSW in the inner heliosphere.