Theory of atomic processes and interactions

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The unifying theme of this proposal is the development of new measurement tools through the combined application of both high precision theory and experiment to atoms. Two examples are a significant new value for the fine structure constant, which is one of the fundamental constants of nature, and table-top measurements of the size of exotic atomic nuclei. Recent successes at Argonne (U.S.), GSI (Germany) and TRIUMF (Canada) have focused on the so-called neutron-rich "halo" nuclei with extra planetary neutrons, such as He-6. The significance of the results is that they enable one to distinguish amongst the various theoretical models proposed for the effective forces holding the nucleus together. By studying structures that fall apart easily, we learn about the forces holding them together. A fascinating new project for the future involves a search for new physics beyond the standard model of elementary particles, as revealed by angular correlations following beta decay of the halo nucleus.