Introduction to the Physics of Highly Charged Ions

Emphasizing a physical understanding with many illustrations, Introduction to the Physics of Highly Charged Ions covers the major areas of x-ray radiation and elementary atomic processes occurring with highly charged ions in hot laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. Topics include light and ion sources, spectroscopy, atomic structure, magnetic and QED effects, and a thorough look at atomic collisions, from elementary processes in plasmas to ion-surface interaction and hollow atoms. Avoiding unnecessary mathematical details, this book is accessible to a broad range of readers, including graduate students and researchers.

PrefaceINTRODUCTIONGeneral remarksAtomic masses, charges and sizesIons in natureIons in the laboratoryVisualization of single atomsRADIATIONLight and radiationThe electromagnetic spectrumThe distribution of radiationDiffraction and interferenceThe Doppler effectSPECTROSCOPYSpectral linesThe quantum nature of radiationThe photoelectric effectCompton scatteringMossbauer spectroscopySpectral-line analysisThe inner concept of atomsLIGHT AND ION SOURCESBasic Physical considerationsBremsstrahlungSynchrotron radiationIon acceleratorsIon cooler ringsTokamakElectron-cyclotron-resonance ion sourceElectron-beam ion source and trapATOMIC STRUCTUREClassification of spectral linesCoupling schemesSelection rulesTransition probabilitiesLifetimesAutoionizing statesOne-electron systemsRelativistic effects and the fine structureMagnetic effects and the hyperfine structureQED effects and the Lamb shiftMulti-electron systemsTransition energies and x-ray spectraExternal fieldsQuantum theory of line shapeAbsorption edgesPolarization of x-ray lines and continuumATOMIC COLLISIONSElementary processes in plasmasThe principle of detailed balanceLocal thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE)Non-equilibrium plasma and the coronal limitEmission and absorptionExcitation and de-excitationIonization and three-body recombinationDielectronic recombinationIon-ion collisionsIon-surface interaction and hollow atomsConclusion and further readingAppendixAtomic physics in chronological orderIndex

Heinrich F. Beyer, Viateheslav P. Shevelko