Spectra of Multicharged Ions

Abstract

The spectra of multicharged ions are of special interest to many modern fields of research, such as X-ray space astronomy and astrophysics, controlled thermonuclear fusion, extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray lasers. Different methods of creating high-temperature laboratory plasmas, low-inductance sparks and other discharges, tokomak and laser-produced plasmas, have been used to study the spectra of ions with ion charges of Z _i ≲50. Increasing activity in investigating the structure of highly charged heavy ions is stimulated by unique possibilities provided by modern accelerators and beam-foil spectroscopy. Fast heavy few-electron ions can be produced by stripping electrons from sufficiently accelerated ions shot through a thin foil. The higher the ion energy is, the higher the charge state that can be created behind the foil. A very impressive example of this technique is the production of hydrogenlike uranium.