Why is a VUV/soft x-ray source important for the proposed areas of study?
The scientific issues identified here require photons in the energy range for which the ALS has been optimized. It is important that the broad and rapid tunability of the ALS in these photon-energy regions enables systematic studies of sequences of atoms and molecules that are inaccessible even to state-of-the-art laser systems. Studies possible with a facility such as the ALS include (1) investigations of inner-shell excitation in atoms, molecules, clusters, and ions, (2) systematic determinations of accurate photoabsorption and photoionization cross sections to benchmark theoretical techniques, (3) use of site-specific, inner-shell excitation to systematically explore chemical reactivity, and (4) triply differential studies of open-shell elements. • What is the role of the ALS? That is, are the proposed scientific programs truly contingent upon the advanced capabilities of the ALS? The answer of the AMO working group is emphatically yes, as the experiments require ultrahigh resolutio
