Extention of the theory of hyperfine structure of highly charged ions

Project one: Hyperfine structure of muonic atoms and ions

Muonic ions are ions, where one (or, rarely, more) electron is replaced by the muon. In such a system, all the theoretical methods, developed for the highly-charged ions, can be used. That makes muonic ions a comparably easy system to calculate. However, as muonic ions are still quite exotic, they are not so well studied, which gives a lots of possibilities to theoretical research.
 
Muonic ions provide an opportunity to learn more about nuclear properties [NIMB V. 235, P. 65 (2005)]. The larger mass of the muon in comparison to that of the electron (about 200 times bigger) makes such a system very sensitive to the change of the nuclear parameters, and a possible candidate to test or determine these.

In addition to already considered H-like ions, one can pay attention to the Li-like and B-like ions. Mixed ions with both muon and electrons can be also studied. As a case of a special interest, muonic hydrogen can be considered, which can contribute to the explanation of the proton size puzzle.

The study will include both analytical and numerical calculations.

Project two: Hyperfine structure of highly charged ions in external magnetic field

A wide use of HCI in the experiments requires a better knowledge of their behavior. An external magnetic field can be a part of the experimental setup. For example, g-factors of HCI allow one to identify lines in spectrum analysis. Therefore, a general theory of the level structure shifts and splitting in an external magnetic field of different magnitudes can be a subject of consideration. Ground and excited states of HCI with few electrons (for example, H-like, Li-like, B-like ions) can be studied. Furthermore, one may also consider a combined hyperfine and Zeeman splitting effect in ions with nonvanishing nuclear spin.

The study will include both analytical and numerical calculations.

Please send your application including CV by email to Natalia S. Oreshkina.