Photoionization cross sections of atomic ions from merged-beam experiments

Abstract

The recent development of experimental photoionization cross sections of atomic ions has been reviewed. Owing to the construction of intense undulator-based photon sources it has been possible during the last ten years to perform a large number of absolute cross-section measurements using the merged-beam method. Photoionization cross sections provide a critical test of theoretical calculations, with implications for the modelling of astrophysical and laboratory plasmas for which fundamental data of this kind are required.