Study of Electron Correlation in Atoms by Impulsive Double Ionization

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Abstract

This project focuses on an experimental investigation of the pairwise correlated motion of electrons in atoms through measurement of electron-pair momentum densities. The experiment is based on electron-impact double ionization, in which a projectile electron is used to knock two electrons out of the target atom simultaneously; all three electrons are then detected in a triple coincidence measurement. Within the limits of three-body mechanics, the results can be used to determine the relative motion of the two target electrons. The experiments will concentrate on using the magnesium atom as a target, and a new apparatus will allow for an increase in the coincidence data rate that will make it possible to reach the precision necessary to obtain meaningful electron-pair-momentum densities for comparison with theoretical results.