EGAS41 - Swansea University

41 st EGAS PL 9 Gdańsk 2009
Atomic physics in strong fields: precision experiments with
stored and cooled highly charged ions
Thomas Stöhlker
1 Atomic Physics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Planckstr. 1,
64291 Darmstadt, Germany
2 Physikalisches Institut, University of Heidelberg, Philosophenweg 12, 69120 Heidelberg,
Germany
E-mail: t.stoehlker@gsi.de
The unique combination of the accelerator facilities at GSI makes it possible to accelerate,
store, and cool heavy ion beams at their highest charge state. In atomic physics
experiments these ion species can be exploited for a stringent tests of Quantum Electrodynamics
in the strong and critical field limit and for detailed studies of the correlated
many-body dynamics in ultra-short and extremely intense electromagnetic fields. Highlycharged
ions also provide a unique access for the determination of fundamental atomic
and nuclear properties. In this overview, the present status of the experiments aiming on
the precise determination of the 1s Lambshift, the Hyperfine Structure and the g-factor of
hydrogenlike ions at high-Z will be given [1]. In addition the novel research opportunities
will be reviewed which opens up by the new HITRAP facility [2]. At HITRAP, heavy ions
in their highest charges state will be provided even at rest in the laboratory, allowing for a
new generation of precision experiments. Further substantial progress can be anticipated
by the upcoming international FAIR facility where highest intensities for stable and exotic
ion species as well as fast and slow anti-protons will be accessible for experiments [3,4].
References
[1] S. Fritzsche, P. Indelicato, Th. Stöhlker, J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 38, S707
(2005)
[2] H.J. Kluge, et al., in Advances in Quantum Chemistry, 53 (Elsevier Academic Press
Inc, San Diego, 2008), Vol. 53, p. 83 (2008)
[2] http://www.gsi.de/fair/experiments/sparc/index
[3] http://www.gsi.de/fair/experiments/flair/index
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