Spectroscopy and Collisions of Stored, Cold, Highly Charged Ions

Texas A&M Research Foundation, College Station TX

Investigators

Abstract

This project is a continuation of work in progress to measure, using laser spectroscopy, magnetic dipole transition wavelengths within the ground terms of selected multiply-charged ions. The basic goals of the research are determination of the g-factor of an electron in a bound state of a highly charged ion, and precision laser measurement of the hyperfine structure of a high-Z one-electron ion. Immediate goals are fine-structure measurements on intermediate-Z ions, using a laser beam to induce the transitions in ions condensed to an ordered state at low temperature in a Penning ion trap. The research is done in collaboration with scientists from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Theoretical support is provided through a collaboration with an atomic structure theorist at the University of Texas, Pan American, an undergraduate institution.