Beam-foil spectroscopy

Abstract

The measurement techniques of beam-foil spectroscopy are reviewed. These comprise the study of wavelengths of heavy ions with low and high charge states at visible, UV and X-ray wavelengths from normal excited states, multiply excited states and high-n Rydberg levels; the measurements of mean lifetimes above 10^-12 s and metastable states up to 100 ns; high-resolution Auger electron measurements; and the application of atomic alignment and orientation by both perpendicular and tilted foils to measurements of atomic structures and analysis of the beam-foil excitation process. A theoretical description of the emission of light from anisotropically excited systems is included. Associated techniques of time-resolved spectroscopy are compared.