Authors: M. A. Dayeh (SwRI), M. J. Starkey (SwRI), R. Bučik (SwRI) and M.I. Desai (SwRI)

The interplanetary Suprathermal (ST) ion population is unambiguously thought to form the seed population from which solar energetic particle (SEP) events draw their accelerated material. The sources and acceleration of the ST population are among the major outstanding questions in heliospheric physics. There are currently two prevailing schools of thought that describe the ST population origin and acceleration. One school suggests that they originate from the SW and are accelerated by localized processes such as compressions, while the other suggests that they are partially remnants of previous solar transient events.

We utilize the unique plasma, magnetic field, and particle observations of Parker Solar Probe to examine the sources and the physical processes that describe the ST ions in slow and fast SW structures in the inner heliosphere. In particular, we identify the quiet times during the studied period and derive the ion properties and their associated distributions in slow and fast SW conditions. Preliminary results indicate that the ST population during fast SW periods is energized when compared to slow SW periods. If confirmed, these results indicate that the SW properties play a role in driving the energization and properties of the complex ST population.