European lab achieves record precision in atomic collision experiments
Scientists have dramatically improved measurements of how electrons and ions collide at near-absolute-zero energies, a capability with direct applications in industrial plasma processing, fusion energy research, and semiconductor manufacturing. The breakthrough came through engineering upgrades that reduce measurement noise and tighten energy control to unprecedented levels.
Originaltitel: The CRYRING@ESR electron cooler as internal target for atomic physics experiments
Abstract We present developments at the electron cooler of the CRYRING@ESR storage ring aimed at improving its performance as internal target in low-energy electron–ion collision experiments. We describe recent modifications of the high-voltage and vacuum systems which lead to improved electron energy control and lower background count rates during such measurements. In a benchmark experiment on dielectronic recombination of F $$^\text {6+}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mmultiscripts> <mml:mrow/> <mml:mrow/> <mml:mtext>6+</mml:mtext> </mml:mmultiscripts> </mml:math> , we demonstrate that a spectroscopic resolution equivalent to transverse and longitudinal thermal electron energy spreads of $$\approx$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>≈</mml:mo> </mml:math> 1 meV and $$\approx$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>≈</mml:mo> </mml:math> 45 µeV, respectively, can be achieved under optimum conditions. This surpasses system performance observed previously in similar experiments.