Few Body Dynamics of Atomic and Molecular Systems

Auburn University, Auburn AL

Investigators

Abstract

Understanding the breakup of atoms and molecules remains a formidable task. Complex experiments using free electron lasers at SLAC in California and at DESY in Germany, or low energy antiproton beams at CERN in Switzerland, are a challenge to explain for modern theoretical methods using massively parallel supercomputers. Our project will provide new insights into the quantal dynamics found in the photon electron, and antiproton ionization of atoms like He, Li, and Mg, as well as molecules like H2 and Li2. Since atomic and molecular processes are present in most physical phenomena, ranging from astronomical observations of the early universe to laboratory production of microchips a more complete understanding of the few body dynamics of atoms and molecules can lead to a wealth of new scientific discoveries.