RT info:eu-repo/semantics/preprint T1 The distribution function of the average iron charge state at 1 AU: from a bimodal wind to ICME identification A1 Larrodera Baca, Carlos A1 Cid Tortuero, Consuelo K1 Sun K1 Heliosphere K1 Solar wind K1 Física K1 Physics AB We aim to investigate the distribution function of the iron charge state, at 1 AU to check if it corresponds to a bimodal wind. We use data from the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer (SWICS) instrument on board the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) along 20 years. We propose the bi-Gaussian function as the probability distribution function that fits the average iron charge state, ⟨QFe⟩, distribution. We study the evolution of the parameters of the bimodal distribution with the solar cycle. We compare the outliers of the sample with the existing catalogs of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and identify new ICMEs. The ⟨QFe⟩ at 1 AU shows a bimodal distribution related to the solar cycle. Our results confirm that ⟨QFe⟩>12 is a trustworthy proxy for ICME identification and a reliable signature in the ICME boundary definition. PB Springer SN 0038-0938 YR 2020 FD 2020-11-10 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10017/46883 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10017/46883 LA eng NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad DS MINDS@UW RD 29-mar-2024