Structure, dynamics and applications of negative ions

The purpose and aim of this proposal is to develop novel experimental techniques and conduct key experiments on atomic and molecular negative ions. The experiments will be conducted using our in-house ion beam apparatus and at four different international facilities.

We propose to investigate the structure and dynamics of negative ions by measuring properties such as electron affinities, isotope shifts and lifetimes of bound excited states.

We will also develop methods to manipulate the population of the states in negative ions and study the Wannier threshold law.

These fundamental studies will be conducted in collaboration with leading theoreticians, where our experimental data will be used to benchmark theoretical models. In addition, we propose to apply our expertise on negative ions in two applications.

We will continue our work to improve the detection limits available in Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, presently the most sensitive trace element method for detecting very small elemental abundances. We will also  contribute to the development of a scheme for laser cooling of negative ions.

This proposal includes a wide range of experiments, but they all constitute a coherent research field with a common theme: the photodetachment of negative ions.

Our overall aim is to conduct key experiments that can be compared with theoretical calculations with the ultimate goal of improving our  understanding of correlated relativistic many-body systems.