ProfessorEmma Sokell

Key Words: Collisional atomic/molecular physics, specifically: photoelectron spectroscopy highly charged ions laser produced plasmas. I began my research career in the area of photoelectron and photoionisation studies on atoms and small molecules in the gas phase. The study of interactions between light and atoms and molecules helps us understand many areas of our universe, including our atmosphere by giving us clues about the structure of atomic particles. This work was originally carried out at synchrotron sources but I have also worked with femto-second lasers. I also have experience working with Electron Beam Ion Traps (EBIT), where I was primarily interested in electron impact ionisation cross-section measurements and the behaviour of ions within the trap. Since joining UCD, I have become involved with research focused on the development of a laser produced plasma based source for lithography for the semi-conductor industry. This included work carried out at the NIST EBIT concerned with EUV spectra of Xenon. More recently, I have become interested in measurements aimed at determining energies and angles of emission of ions and electrons in laser produced plasmas. Among other things, the information on ions in these plasmas will be relevant to the debris mitigation system development that will be necessary if a laser plasma based lithography system is to become industrially viable. Although the understanding of this aspect of atomic physics has a strong bearing on technological progress, it is also important to understand the fundamental behaviour of atomic particles, and their interactions with light remains of interest. Consequently I have remained active in the field of photoelectron spectroscopy, both through collaboration and through the operation of a spectrometer to investigate the interaction, espeically double photoionization, of metal vapours with light from a synchrotron radiation source.