Authors: Aditya Gandhi (University of Michigan), Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti (University of Michigan)

Magnetic switchbacks, designated by abrupt reversals in the radial component of the magnetic field, were observed by the Parker Solar Probe. Comprehending the nature of switchback generation and evolution is an important endeavor that will help our understanding of the solar wind. In this report, we identify 588 switchbacks utilizing the fields and plasma instruments aboard the Parker Solar Probe and categorize them by their discontinuity characteristics using minimum variance analysis. Earlier studies have previously described the evolution of these switchbacks suggest that rotational discontinuity (RD) type switchbacks evolve by relaxing at an exponential decay rate of 0.08 [Rₛ⁻¹]. It has also been suggested that the combination of the large-scale Alfvénic perturbation with small-scale waves inside the structure may lead to switchback energy being transferred to thermal energy during propagation. By analyzing the plasma characteristics across the switchback structure, we will investigate the plasma instabilities that could potentially be responsible for this dissipation of magnetic energy.