Proposed measurements of dielectronic recombination using the Indiana cooler facility

Abstract

It is proposed to measure dielectronic recombination (DR) using the IUCF Cooler. This process, which involves the electron-electron interaction, takes place when electron capture is accompanied by simultaneous excitation of the interacting ion resulting in the formation of a doubly-excited intermediate state. The IUCF Cooler, with its high electron beam intensity and high electron-energy resolution, provides a unique opportunity for investigating this fundamental atomic collision process. Specifically, it is proposed to measure DR for collisions of He + ions with electrons in the Cooler at relative energies (in the rest frame of the ion) of about 30–40 eV. The DR cross sections obtained will be used to test theoretical calculations of this correlated two-electron process, which apart from their fundamental interest, have applications to astrophysical studies and to the development of nuclear fusion plasmas.