First atomic physics experiments with cooled stored ion beams at the Heidelberg heavy-ion ring TSR

Abstract

An overview of atomic physics experiments at the heavy ion Test Storage Ring (TSR) is given. Highly charged ions up to fully stripped silicon have been stored at energies between 4 and 12 MeV/u. The enhancement of the beam intensity by stacking, the beam lifetime, and electron cooling of these ion beams are discussed. Radiative and state‐selective dielectronic recombination rates of hydrogen‐like oxygen ions with free electrons from the electron cooler were measured. Beam noise spectra are being investigated with regard to collective effects caused by the Coulomb interaction in the cold ion beams. Resonance fluorescence from stored single‐charged ions was observed using tunable narrow‐band lasers. First indications of laser cooling in a storage ring were seen.