Atomic Data for Ions of Rare Earth Elements

Dear Colleagues,

Elements of the lanthanide group (La to Lu with 57 <= Z <= 71), comprising of 'rare earth elements' (REE), and their ions have applications in a variety of fields, such as lighting industry, lasers, quantum and nano electronics, and plasma chemistry. Some of them also have applications in astrophysical and fusion plasmas, and spectra of their many ions have been measured, particularly of the lower ionisation stages. However, theoretical work on their ions is very limited but is getting momentum. This is because the calculations are very challenging as both the correlation and relativistic effects are important, and a single configuration may generate over a dozen closely spaced levels, arising from different LS symmetries, and there is a strong mixing of levels making the identifications difficult. Therefore, in this special issue we wish to focus on the ions of lanthanide elements, and invite the atomic physicists to contribute, theoretically or experimentally, to report data on energy levels, radiative rates, lifetimes, and electron impact excitation collision strengths. However, work on all other related atomic parameters and ions of Sc (Z = 21) and Y (Z = 39) will be equally welcome. A focus on these elements may provide good opportunity for the code developers to enhance the capabilities and efficiencies. Our aim is to cover a wide range of ionisation stages and to have as large a complete set of data as possible, but which can be confidently and reliably applied. In this regard the experimentalists can enormously contribute as the accuracy of the data generated can be tested and verified.

All contributed papers will undergo the standard peer reviewing process of the journal and will be published in a single issue towards the end of the year 2018. To make its publication feasible and to make the issue a source of reference for years to come, contributions are invited, through the journal website, latest by 30 September 2018. All submitted papers before this date, but well prepared which will not require extensive editorial corrections, will be free of Article Processing Charges (APC). Papers submitted after this date may not be included in the special issue but will continue to be processed for the regular issue/s of the journal.

Dr. Kanti M. Aggarwal
Prof. Dr. Per Jönsson
Guest Editors

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