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THOMAS W. GORCZYCA Professor |
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| RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research is in theoretical atomic physics and involves calculating the interaction properties of electrons, photons, atoms, and ions. These studies require approximating solutions to the many-body Schrodinger equation, which is accomplished using coupled-channel R-matrix methods and lower-order perturbation theory methods. They provide fundamental new insights about matter on the atomic level, and are benefited by joint theoretical and experimental collaborations with several national and international experimental research groups. In addition to the investigation of fundamental atomic physics properties, my research has important applications in the interpretation of spectra from cosmic plasmas, and is funded by the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) under the Astrophysics Research and Analysis Program, Solar and Heliospheric Research and Technology Program, and Chandra Project. A main objective of this program is the computation of new dielectronic recombination (DR) data that are needed for modeling astrophysical plasmas. The production of more reliable DR data enable astrophysicists to more accurately infer information about the chemical evolution of the universe. |
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