Ionization of Atomic Hydrogen by Low Energy Antiprotons
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen's University Belfast
Department Name: Sch of Mathematics and Physics
Abstract
The cross section for electron removal or ionization of the simplest atom (hydrogen or its isotope deuterium), by antiprotons, is of currently of considerable interest. This is the simplest collision system for testing theory with only one active electron and, since the antiproton cannot capture an electron, the detection of a hydrogen ion in coincidence with an antiproton after the collision process is a signature of the ionization process. The antiproton hydrogen collision system is therefore an ideal system against which to test our theoretical understanding of the few-body Coulomb physics involved in ionization.Ionization is an important process in astrophysical and technological plasmas and in the dissociation of molecules in the Earth's atmosphere. Technological plasmas are increasingly used in industrial proceessing of materials, particularly to effect their surface properties and are widely used in the semiconductor industry. Energy from controlled plasma fusion of hydrogen isotopes presents us with the possibility of a 'clean' energy source to replace fossil fuels and to alleviate global warming resulting from carbon dioxide emissions from current generation power stations.Our understanding of the ionization mechanism in such a simple collision system should enable an important step forward in current theoretical models.
Publications
Knudsen H
(2009)
On the double ionization of helium by very slow antiproton impact
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
Description | Univ of Swansea |
Organisation | Swansea University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We worked together with Professor Charlton at CERN on the experimental project on antiproton collisions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Professor Charlton made a positive contribution to both the operation of the experiment and the discussions of the physics involved |
Impact | Deatils of all publications have been listed. |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | University of Arhus |
Organisation | Aarhus University |
Country | Denmark |
Sector | Academic/University |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | University of Tokyo |
Organisation | University of Tokyo |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
Start Year | 2009 |