Electron and photon collision phenomena in atoms, molecules and clusters

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What are the mechanisms responsible for the "Northern Lights" ? What happens to the electrons which are released when X-rays or other high energy radiation enters our bodies ? How can laser cooling and atom traps be used to obtain data about collision processes in industrial plasmas ? How can beams of sulphur or oxygen atoms be produced and used to quantify processes occurring in planetary atmospheres ? In what ways do molecules like water break up when bombarded with electrons and what are the chances of getting particular fragments when they do ? How are molecular clusters different from gases or solids of the same material and how can they be used to shed light on problems of atmospheric pollution ? How can experimentalists and theoreticians work together best to establish accurate collision models ? These are just some of the questions that we will be trying to answer during the next grant period. To help accomplish this we plan a range of sophisticated experiments involving beams of electrons, light and a variety of targets. We will be using state-of-the-art techniques including laser cooling and trapping of atoms, unique metastable atom detection, and mass, optical and electron spectrometries. Many of the experiments are designed to provide accurate data for refinement of current theoretical ideas. Close collaboration will be maintained with other scientists doing related work in Canada and around the world. The research areas under consideration are at the forefront of world research in this field. Some are motivated by demands for information by high-technology industry. In addition to their fundamental importance, the data obtained will have significance for atmospheric and planetary physics, the aurora, plasma etching and deposition devices, radiation damage in biological materials and nanotechnology.