International Conference on the Physics of Electronic and Atomic Collisions (14th) Held in Palo Alto, California on 24-30 July 1985 (Electronic and Atomic Collisions. Invited Papers)

Abstract : Symposia on topics of strong current interest included Dynamics of Photo- and Electron-Capture Dissociation, Energy Transfer Processes Involving Polarized Atom Collisions, State Resolved Capture by Multicharged Ions, and Multiphoton Ionization. New techniques and applications also continue to be developed that provide vitality and new directions to the field. For example, the recent progress on the laser cooling of atoms and its possible application to collision physics was described as well as progress in producing beams of low energy positrons and polarized electrons. The scope of the conference has broadened in a natural way as the field has progressed, the problems of interest have changed, and the tools at our disposal have improved. This evolution was particularly evident at this conference from the increased attention being given to the role of exit channel spectroscopy and decay processes in all types of collisions whether they were excited with ions, electrons, or photons. It is exemplified by the photo excitation processes in which it is possible to prepare well-specified systems on which to conduct half-collision experiments. Thus, the exit channels of many types of collision processes, such as autoionization, dissociation, and detachment, are being investigated on a detail previously unavailable. This research is possible in part because photon sources such as synchrotrons and lasers have become generally available and useful to many researchers. (jhd)