Atomic negative ions: structure, dynamics and collisions

This paper reviews the knowledge of the structure, dynamics and collisions of atomic negative ions, as accumulated at the end of 2003, and describes how the research exploring these ions developed during the last decade. New experimental information has mainly been obtained from photon–negative-ion interactions using lasers and more recently also synchrotron radiation as the photon source. Additional insights have been gained from the use of new experimental techniques like heavy-ion storage rings, which made long-time observations of negative ions possible and promoted the study of electron–negative ion-interactions. Substantial progress has also appeared on the theoretical side with computational methods leading to reliable predictions for many of the lighter negative ions.