Polarized ion beams in atomic physics research

Abstract

A review is presented of recent theoretical progress in atomic physics studies with spin-polarized heavy ions. Special emphasis is placed on the diagnostics of ion beams at storage rings. In particular, we show how the radiative electron capture from low-Z target atoms may serve as a very sensitive probe of heavy-ion spin polarization. The role of the electron-electron interactions in such a polarization-measurement method is discussed in detail.