The aim of the project is the precision study of ion-atom collisions (PRecision studies on IOn Collisions, PRIOC). In general the following processes occur in such collisions:

• Emission of electrons, i.e. the ionization of the target atom or the projectile ion.
• Electron capture, i.e. the transfer of one or several electrons from the target to the projectile.
• Electronic excitation of the projectile and/or the target.
• Emission of photons either directly in radiative processes (like Bremsstrahlung) or subsequently due to relaxation of excited intermediate states.

The goal of the planned experiments is to advance our understanding of the dynamics in ion-atom collisions. Moreover, a new, kinematical method shall be developed which will allow to study the structure of highly charged ions, i.e. the elctronic binding energies, in unprecedented detail.

A so-called in-ring MOTREMI setup shall enable to achieve that goals. It is a combination of three technologies:

1. Ion storage rings like the TSR at MPIK or the ESR at the GSI which provide intensive electron-cooled projectile beams
2. A magneto-optical Trap (MOT) which provides an ultra-cold target
3. A 'Reaction Microscope' which enables the momentum resolved detection of the collision fragments