A review of the first ionization potential effect on elemental abundances in the solar corona and in flares

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Abstract
The elemental composition of solar upper atmosphere plasmas was studied from spectra obtained by instruments aboard all major solar observatories that were launched into space in the last three decades. The studies show that the first ionization potential (FIP) of the elements has a profound effect on their abundance in the various solar upper atmosphere regions. In this paper we review properties of the FIP effect as they relate to coronal holes, quiet regions, active regions and flares and we show that although the derived compositions vary considerably with the type of plasma observed regularities in their behavior are emerging. The observed behavior may help identify the energy deposition mechanism that fuels the corona and solar flares.

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