Physics of highly charged ions and relativistic atomic collisions
We study fundamental atomic electromagnetic interactions in the domain of strong fields of heavy highly charged ions and hard x-rays. In particular polarization properties of Radiative and Dielectronic recombination (inverse Photoelectric and Auger effects) and bremsstrahlung are investigated experimentally in the hard x-ray regime with novel Compton polarimeters.
The GSI ESR storage ring and the Heidelberg and Stockholm Super-EBITs are used for production and experiments with the heaviest highly charged ions up to bare uranium. Experiments with the polarized electron beam of TU Darmstadt SDALINAC complement these studies.
Developments of polarization sensitive hard x-ray detectors
Novel polarization sensitive hard x-ray detectors will be constructed to allow this experimental program. Compton and Rayleigh polarimetry techniques will be applied to the segmented germanium and silicon solid state detectors. A particular emphasis will be given to the low-energy hard x-ray regime of 10-100 keV where an efficient polarimetry is a challenging task. Additional developments will include a pulse shape analysis of the detector signals and gamma-ray tracking. These advanced photon detection techniques should allow for an efficient polarimetry, imaging and background suppression.
PhD student position in experimental atomic physics
