Electron and photon collision phenomena in atoms and molecules

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What are the mechanisms responsible for producing or de-exciting the metastable atoms whose emissions often dominate the “Northern Lights” in earth’s upper atmosphere? What happens to the electrons which are released when X-rays or other high energy radiation enters our bodies? How damaging are these electrons to our DNA? How can laser cooling and atom traps be used to obtain data about collision processes in industrial plasmas, particularly those involving atoms in excited states? How can beams of reactive particles like 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 can experimentalists and theoreticians work together best to establish accurate models of collision processes? These are some of the questions that we will be seeking answers to during the next grant period. To help accomplish this we plan a range of sophisticated experiments involving beams of electrons, laser photons 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. Not only are the research areas under consideration at the forefront of world research but the experiments are designed to encourage the involvement of students, both undergraduate and graduate . 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, low temperature plasma physics, electrical discharges, radiation damage in biological materials, photonics and fusion energy generation.