Atomic Spectroscopy

The Bochum accelerator laboratory DTL has provded excellent technical facilities and operating options for Atomic Physics. Over the years, these have been used extensively in particular by the ISS Group (IonenStrahlSpektroskopie - Spectroscopy on Fast Ion Beams) of Paul Henrich Heckmann. More information can be obtained from E. Träbert.

However, following restructuring exercises of the physics faculty, accelerator-based atomic physics activities at the DTL have largely been phased out since about 1999. Most of the current atomic physics work therefore is done at other laboratories, for example, using a heavy-ion storage ring at Heidelberg or the electron beam ion traps at Livermore (California). The collaboration with colleagues at Université de Liège continues as well. With the end of the chair for physics with ion beams (2007), there is no physics faculty link any longer with the accelerator laboratory. However, in 2008 the German Research Council (DFG) has granted support for continuing studies at the Heidelberg heavy-ion storage ring and at the Livermore electron beam ion trap, as well as for a local experiment that involves refurbishing some older DFG-sponsored equipment for specific beam-foil experiments on transition rates in Be-like ions and on EUV spectra of astrophysical interest.

Main research areas of the Bochum ISS group:

Atomic Structure (Wavelengths) and Dynamics (Lifetimes and Branching ratios)

• Few-electron ions of the 2- to 4- electron isoelectronic sequences, with measurements at Bochum and at GSI Darmstadt
  
• Multiply-excited states in few-electron ions
  
• Intercombination transitions, induced by relativistic effects
  
• Hyperfine splitting in extremely highly charged ions and and quenching of long-lived levels
  
• Excitation and fragmentation of atmospheric gases by ion impact
  
• Laboratory studies of transitions of solar corona and high-temperature plasma interest
  
• Ion-atom collisions, charge exchange, ionization-cum-excitation
  
• Development and utilization of new techniques for atomic spectra and lifetime measurements, such as using various types of ion traps:
  
• Measurement of millisecond to second atomic lifetimes studied with unprecedented precision on intercombination and forbidden transitions in moderately charged ions at TSR Heidelberg
  Details and examples
• Precision spectroscopy in all ranges from x-rays to visible as well as studies of forbidden transitions that employ Electron Beam Ion Traps (EBIT), for example, those at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory ( LLNL EBIT).
  Details and examples

Local Home Pages

RUBION accelerator laboratory (formerly DTL)
Are you interested in The Internet Path to Physics, or the international Atomic Physics Institutes List ?

Home page E. Träbert.