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This chapter reviews that the understanding of the structure of matter has progressed in large part, using the beams of rapidly moving particles, to probe the various states of matter being explored. High-energy charged particles have been employed as fundamentally important tools in studies of atomic scale objects. The chapter discusses some of the particular advantages afforded, using high-energy heavy projectiles in studies of atomic collisions. It also discusses several kinds of accelerators used in accelerator-based atomic physics (ABAP), general principles of operation for each, and attributes that make each especially suited for particular areas of ABAP research. It is especially important to recognize these unique advantages. Low-energy ion sources, such as electron beam ion traps (EBIT) and electron beam ion sources (EBIS), are now capable of producing high-charge states of virtually all atoms. These new sources are viewed as competing technology for some measurements historically accomplished, using beams accelerated to high energies. The availability of these relatively low-energy sources of highly charged ions has, in fact, opened new areas of research and has absorbed an important fraction of ABAP work at arguably significant cost savings, both in initial capital outlay and in expense of normal operation. |
