The FIP Effect on Individual Charge State Abundances

Authors: D. Carpenter (University of Michigan), L. Zhao (University of Michigan), S. T. Lepri (University of Michigan)

In this work, we analyze the individual charge state abundances that together account for the near-entirety of the species measured in-situ for the elements of magnesium, iron, silicon, carbon and neon to oxygen. Their aggregate counterparts are included for comparison to the commonly observed First Ionization Potential (FIP) effect. We calculate the individual charge states and aggregate elemental abundances using the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer (SWICS) data that is publicly available. We determine how the FIP effect translates to individual charge states by separating samples by wind type (characterized through bulk speed and coronal properties, among others), and examining solar cycle sensitivity between solar maximum (2000-2002) and solar minimum (2007-2009). We compare the behavior of individual charge states to the aggregate elemental abundances in terms of FIP fractionation, magnitude of wind type ordering, and time series behavior We explore the possible factors that could have influence over the FIP fractionation, such as the abundances of individual charge states in their distributions. Using the results from this, we discuss the implication of this work in regards to the preparation of a future study using the combined compositional data from Solar Orbiter Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE) and Heavy Ion Sensor (HIS).