Subject：Accuracy in atomic and molecular data
Speaker：Prof. GordonW. F. Drake
Emcee：Prof. Haibin Wu
Time：10:00am, 22th Oct, 2019
Place：Science Building A207
Abstract：
As physicists we all learned how to estimate the uncertainties in experimental measurements, and error bars are a standard part of published results. However traditionally the same has not been true on the theoretical side. A lack of uncertainty estimates limits the usefulness of the results in comparing with experiment (do they agree or not?) or in applications to other areas such as astrophysics or plasma modeling. The situation is now changing with advances in techniques for estimating uncertainties, and requirements for uncertainty estimates in published data [1, 2]. The talk will focus on sources of uncertainty in calculated atomic and molecular data involving high precision measurements and scattering cross sections. Following a recent review article [3], the talk will discuss model uncertainties due to approximations to the fundamental many-body quantum mechanical equations with the aim of providing guidelines to estimate uncertainties as a routine part of computations of data for structure and scattering.
[1] Drake GWF 2010 “Role of accuracy estimates in atomic and molecular theory in Proc.
7th Int. Conf. on Atomic and Molecular Data and their Applications - ICAMDATA-2010 Edited by Bernootas A, Karazija R and Rudzikas Z AIP Conf. Proc. 1344 pp. 9–24
[2] The Editors 2011 Phys. Rev. A 83 040001
[3] Chung HK, Braams BJ, Bartschat K, Csaszar AG, Drake GWF, Kirchner T, Kokoouline V and Tennyson J 2016 J. Phys. D–Appl. Phys. 49 363002
About the Speaker:
Degrees
B.Sc. Hons. Chemistry McGill University 1961-64
M.Sc. Physics University of Western Ontario 1964-65
Ph.D. Physics York University 1965-67
Appointments
Postdoctoral Fellow Harvard College Observatory 1967-69
Assistant Professor University of Windsor 1969-72
Associate Professor University of Windsor 1972-75
Professor University of Windsor 1975-86
Interim Dean, Faculty of University of Windsor 1982
Science and Mathematics
University Professor University of Windsor 1986-present
Prog. Chair, Dept. of Phys. University of Windsor 1996-2003
Head, Dept. of Physics University of Windsor 2003-2008
Principal (part time) Canterbury College 2008-2016
