Laboratory Spectroscopy for Interpreting Astrophysical Spectra

We have been using electron beam ion traps and a variety of spectrometers to isolate and study atomic processes taking place in astrophysical sources and to provide calibrated X-ray line emission and absorption diagnostics for use by the astrophysics community. Studies of electron impact excitation and photoexcitation and ionization cross sections and transition energies have been conducted. Photoexcitation and ionization studies have been completed by employing a transportable electron beam ion trap, provided by the Max-Plank-Institute for Kernphysik, at various advanced light sources including the BESSY-II synchrotron, the FLASH free electron laser, and most recently, the Linac Coherent Light Source free electron laser. Various recent results will be discussed. \\[4pt] This work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.