Excitation and Ionization in Atomic Collisions -- General Theory and Accurate Numerical Calculations

Drake University, Des Moines IA

Investigators

Abstract

The theoretical and computational treatment of the collisions of electrons with complex atoms and ions is the focus of this research. A variety of numerical techniques will be used to compute the excitation cross section for a number of atomic and ionic systems. The major approach used is the R-matrix plus pseudostates method but convergent close coupling, and distorted wave theories are applied where appropriate. There will also be some exploration of the use of non-orthognal expansions to reduce the proliferation of pseudo-resonances in the ionization continuum.