Electron-ion merged-beam experiments at heavy-ion storage rings

TL;DR

This paper reviews the use of electron-ion merged-beam experiments at heavy-ion storage rings, highlighting recent results and future prospects for studying highly charged ions and electron-ion interactions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of two decades of experimental advancements and discusses upcoming opportunities at new facilities like FAIR and Cryogenic Storage Ring.

Findings

Extensive use of merged-beam technique at heavy-ion storage rings.

Recent results in spectroscopic studies and cross section measurements.

Future experimental possibilities at new facilities.

Abstract

In the past two decades, the electron-ion merged-beams technique has extensively been exploited at heavy-ion storage rings equipped with electron coolers for spectroscopic studies of highly charged ions as well as for measuring absolute cross sections and rate coefficients for electron-ion recombination and electron-impact ionization of multiply charged atoms ions. Some recent results are highlighted and future perspectives are pointed out, in particular, in view of novel experimental possibilities at the FAIR facility in Darmstadt and at the Cryogenic Storage Ring at the Max-Planck-Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg.