16:26:14 BST
 Thursday
 02 September 2010

 Search the CSE web:
 Enter text and press return

Atomic and Molecular Physics

Drawing on a unique combination of cutting-edge scientific expertise and in-depth knowledge of high-performance computing, the Atomic and Molecular Physics Group performs fundamental research and develops high-performance parallel codes and physics algorithms.

The group collaborates with academic researchers throughout Europe to develop both theoretical techniques and large-scale computer programs for conducting research into the exciting, new field of high-powered lasers. The group investigates how these lasers - which provide short, very high intensity pulses of light to blow atoms apart - interact with atoms and atomic ions. This process could one day be used to control the outcome of chemical reactions - among the many applications envisaged.

Using the capacity of today's high-performance computers, the group is also adding greater understanding to subjects that have been researched for many years. Electron collisions with atoms and ions are a good example. The group is developing parallel programs for computing electron–atom scattering and photo-ionization cross sections.

The group also researches laser-assisted positron production, positron collisions with atoms and molecules, atom anti-atom interactions and low-energy electron scattering by ionic crystals. These are fundamental research areas where the group is creating knowledge for use by the wider research community.

For more information about the Atomic and Molecular Physics Group please contact Dr Martin Plummer.

AMP News, February 2008

We would like to publicize a meeting to take place at UCL on 14-15 April 2008: Atoms and Astrophysics: Mike Seaton's Legacy.

Professor Mike Seaton, who died in May last year, was an outstanding atomic and astrophysicist, with wide-ranging research interests. At this meeting, many of his friends, collaborators and students will give talks on subjects relevant to Mike's work. Topics will include quantum defect theory in atoms and molecules, electron-ion scattering theory and computation, nebular astrophysics and stellar opacities.

The meeting will be held in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London, where Mike spent most of his academic career. The meeting will start at 10am on April 14th and end at 4.00pm on April 15th, 2008. The programme will consist mainly of invited talks but there is also some space for contributed talks. Confirmed speakers include: Professor Nigel Badnell, Professor Mike Barlow, Professor Phil Burke, Professor Keith Butler, Dr. Franck Delahaye, Professor Gary Ferland, Professor Chris Greene, Dr. Christian Jungen, Professor Ian Percival. Further information can be found at the meeting website.

AMP News, December 2007

We would like to bring your attention to a new Daresbury Laboratory publication: Mathematical and Computational Methods in R-matrix Theory, edited by M Plummer, J D Gorfinkiel and J Tennyson (CCP2, Daresbury Laboratory, UK, 2007). This booklet contains articles contributed by speakers at the succesful CCP2 13 - 15 September UCL Workshop and is available free of charge: please contact Martin Plummer with a clear and complete postal address. Please click here for the contents list. The booklet is also available as a pdf file.

AMP News, August 2007

Details of speakers and talks are now available for the international CCP2 workshop on Mathematical and Computational Methods in R-matrix Theory at University College London, UK, 13 - 15 September 2007. The workshop programme is now available. The workshop follows the QuAMP IV conference at UCL (see also this link).

AMP News, July 2007

We announce the forthcoming international CCP2 workshop on Mathematical and Computational Methods in R-matrix Theory at University College London, UK, 13 - 15 September 2007. The workshop follows the QuAMP IV conference at UCL (see also this link).

AMP News, May 2007