For this purpose we perform numerical computer simulations. The structure of atomic nuclei and elementary particles is studied by scattering of ions which have been accelerated to high energies. However, at large densities this is prevented by the repulsion among the ions. Of course the cooling must proceed faster than the recombination between the electrons and the ions. Recent experiments on electron cooling of highly charged ion beams show recombination rates which are much higher than predicted by conventional theory.
Detailed simulations point to the role of the polarization of the electrons by the ion.
In Fig.2 it is shown that the density of the electrons grows in the vicinity of the ion. Because of the magnetic field which guides the beams, this enhancement is anisotropic. In the combined electric and magnetic fields the electrons move chaotically which requires a new theory for the recombination. The arrow indicates the direction of the magnetic field. Such laser fields exert forces on the constituents of matter that are much larger than the material binding forces.