Spectroscopy of heavy few-electron ions

Abstract

With the possibility to accelerate even very heavy ions to high velocities a new period has been opened in atomic structure investigations; Spectroscopic studies of heavy few-electron ions are feasible nowadays for instance for H- and He-like ions up to atomic numbers of about Z = 40 and for F- and Ne-like ions for practically all Z numbers (Z = 90), respectively. An overview on the available data and current experiments is given. The three different main experimental approaches are compared: the approach using the recoil ion light source, the beam foil excitation method and the acceleration stripping deceleration procedure in combination with a final electron capture. An outlook on further developments and future experiments is given.