During the past few years we have witnessed a dynamic development in the field of atomic physics with respect to highly charged
ions. The causes are many, one of them being the development of new powerful ion sources related to the needs in accelerator
technology, e.g. the EBIS (Electron Beam Ion Source), the ECRIS (Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source), and the Laser Ion
Source. These ion sources are highly advanced constructions based on, in many cases, cryogenic and ultra-high-vacuum technology.
Recently the Research Institute of Physics entered into a collaboration with Institut de Physique Nucléaire, Orsay, for the construction of CRYEBIS 11, an ion source (developed by J . Arianer) intended for atomic and plasma physics applications. The
collaboration calls for the building of two ion sources; one of them will at a later stage be located at the Research Institute of
Physics.
Atomic spectroscopy with highly charged ions has quite a tradition in Sweden, starting with Edlén's break-through experiments
in the 30's and now being carried on by Martinson's beam-foil investigations. Atomic collision experiments, however, have only
been performed to a relatively modest extent, a fact that was pointed out by the international group evaluating Swedish atomic
physics a couple of years ago.
The acquisition of the new ion source will provide a welcome opportunity to initiate atomic collision physics - a new field of
research in Sweden. The first experiment to be performed will be a study of charge transfer collisions between multiply charged
ions and neutral atoms. The group responsible for this experiment played a major role in the organization of the symposium
reported on in these proceedings, and so the symposium has played a major role in establishing international contacts with an
entirely new research group at our institute.
The symposium on Production and Physics of Highly Charged Ions brought together physicists working on different aspects of
atomic (and nuclear) physics, ranging from experimental and theoretical low-energy collision physics over atomic spectroscopy
to technical developments of ion sources as well as detector technology in high-energy physics. One purpose of the symposium
was in fact to bring together research scientists specialized in these particular areas, i.e., scientists who usually do not find it
justified to participate in the same type of conferences. The response to the invitation was extremely positive; the number of
participants was, however, for practical reasons set at maximum ∼ 100.
The symposium took place in and around the Research Institute of Physics. The poster session and some social activities were
held in the adjoining villa, until 1978 the residence of the founder of the Institute, the late professor Manne Siegbahn. This contributed very much to the friendly and relaxed atmosphere among the participants and to many useful, informal discussions outside
of the formal program. A true presentation of this program is hopefully given by the following proceedings. It was a general feeling
that this symposium ought to be repeated in a few year's time - but this is still an open question.
We wish to express our gratitude to the invited speakers and poster session contributors for the high scientific level of their talks
as well as for their clever and stimulating presentation, which very much contributed to the success of the symposium. Also, we
would like to thank the staff of the Research Institute of Physics for their help regarding practical details of the arrangements.
Dr N. R. Nilsson has given us wholehearted support, both in his capacity as editor of Physica Scripta and as director of NORDITA.
Finally, support from all the other sponsors is gratefully acknowledged.