International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Research Applications and Utilization of Accelerators

4-8 May 2009, Vienna

Photoionization Study of Atoms, Molecules and Clusters and their Ions in the VUV
and Soft X-Ray Region

M.F. Gharaibeh

Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

Corresponding Author: mgharaib@yahoo.com

Most of the matter in the universe (>99.99%) exists in a highly ionized state. However, relatively little experimental data is available on the structure of multiply charged ions and their interactions with photons. Combining a merged ion-photon beam (IPB) endstation, an electroncyclotron- resonance (ECR) ion source and a third-generation synchrotron radiation source makes possible quantitative studies of photoionization (PI) of multiply charged ions. This apparatus is permanently installed on undulator beamline 10.0.1.2 at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), which provides intense photon beams at high energy resolution range 17 - 340 eV.

In the soft X-ray region we can study the atomic structure of the inner shells for most of the
elements, which has not explored yet for the best of my knowledge. Photoionization of molecular and cluster ions remain essentially unexplored, and will provide new insights into their structure and dynamics. Interpreting such experiments will be a major challenge. So SESAME as a third generation light source similar to the ALS will be the best for such studies, and with similar IPB endstation at the ALS will attract many researchers from the region and all over the world.

PI experiments performed at ALS in collaboration with the Giessen group included multiply charged metallic ions, such as K-like Sc²⁺, for which complementary measurements of time-reversed process electron-Sc³⁺ recombination have been performed at a heavy-ion storage ring in Europe. PI measurements for the lower charge states of the Fe isonuclear sequence, which are important for astrophysical applications, and present a formidable theoretical challenge. Many other examples will be presented during the meeting and the future look of PI spectroscopy.

Poster