  Magnetic switchbacks, or sudden reversals in the magnetic field's radial
direction, are one of the more striking observations of Parker Solar Probe
(PSP) thus far in its mission. While their precise production mechanisms are
still unknown, the two main theories are via interchange reconnection events
and in-situ generation. In this work density and abundance variations of alpha
particles are studied inside and outside individual switchbacks. We find no
consistent compositional differences in the alpha particle abundance ratio,
$n_{\alpha p}$, inside vs outside, nor do we observe any signature when
separating the switchbacks according to $V_{\alpha p}/V_{pw}$, the ratio of
alpha-proton differential speed to the wave phase speed (speed the switchback
is travelling). We argue these measurements cannot be used to rule in favour of
one production mechanism over the other, due to the distance between PSP and
the postulated interchange reconnection events. In addition we examine the 3D
velocity fluctuations of protons and alpha particles within individual
switchbacks. While switchbacks are always associated with increases in proton
velocity, alpha velocities may be enhanced, unchanged, or decrease. This is due
to the interplay between $V_{pw}$ and $V_{\alpha p}$, with the Alfv\'enic
motion of the alpha particles vanishing as the difference $|V_{pw} - V_{\alpha
p}|$ decreases. We show how the Alfv\'enic motion of both the alphas and the
protons through switchbacks can be understood as approximately rigid arm
rotation about the location of the wave frame, and illustrate that the wave
frame can therefore be estimated using particle measurements alone, via sphere
fitting.
