Tests of fundamental theories with heavy ions at low-energy regime

Abstract

The current status of theoretical investigations of spectroscopic properties and fundamental interactions in highly charged ions is reviewed. Laying special attention on tests of quantum electrodynamics at strong fields recent progress in calculations of energy levels, hyperfine splitting and g factor values is reported. The parity nonconservation effect on the laser-induced \(2^3S_1-2^1S_0\) transition in heavy He-like ions is studied, which could serve as test scenario for the Standard Model in low-energy atomic physics. The Coulomb glory effect in collisions of antiprotons with heavy ions is considered. It is emphasized that observation of this effect in collisions of antiprotons with bare nuclei would exhibit the screening properties of the vacuum polarization potential. A new approach to the description of dynamic atomic processes in low-energy heavy-ion collisions is presented. As a first application of this approach, the charge transfer probabilities for the U91 + (1s) – U92 + collision are evaluated.