Electron impact with excited atoms

本研究的重点是测量稀有气体和碱原子激发态外的电子激发截面。这些实验将有助于对原子过程物理的基本理解，并具有许多技术应用。例如，这种碰撞在理解低温等离子体方面起着主导作用，而低温等离子体对于照明、半导体芯片的蚀刻和许多其他应用都很重要。这项活动还将产生更广泛的影响，将培训研究生和博士后助理，他们也将参与本科生教学。建议邀请女性和少数族裔科学家访问物理系，并与研究人员、研究生和本科生会面，以便进行可能的合作，并作为榜样和提供鼓励。

The focus of this research project is the measurement of electron excitation cross sections out of excited levels of rare gases and alkali atoms. The experiments will contribute to the basic understanding of the physics of atomic processes and have numerous technological applications. For instance, such collisions play a dominant role in understanding low temperature plasmas, and low temperature plasmas are important for lighting, etching of semiconductor chips and many other applications. Also on a broader impact, this activity will result in the training of graduate students and postdoctoral associates, who will also participate in undergraduate teaching. It is proposed to invite women and minority scientists to visit the Physics Department and to meet with researchers and graduate and undergraduate students for possible collaborations and in order to act as role models and to provide encouragement.