RUI: Structure and Spectroscopy of Negative Ions

Denison University, Granville OH

Investigators

Abstract

This RUI experimental research program is aimed at a study of the interactions of photons with negative ions in two series of experiments. Electron correlation effects bind the extra electron in a negative ion predominantly and therefore negative ions provide a fertile testing ground for state of-the-art atomic physics calculations regarding these multi-body interactions. A crossed kilovolt ion beam/tunable laser system will be used to measure high precision photodetachment cross sections near the ground state thresholds of lanthanide negative ions for the first time. The second series of complementary experiments will investigate inner-shell photodetachment from selenium, lithium, and carbon negative ions using high-energy photons at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. These experiments continue a series of studies by the PIs to investigate the effects of the outer-shell electrons on the detaching inner electron's wavefunction. The broader impact of the program focuses on the eduation of undergraduate students through the RUI mechanism.