Quantum mechanics describes how particles behave on an atomic scale; where instead of an interaction having a defined result, there are probabilities — calculated as cross sections — for a range of different outcomes. For collisions between ions and atoms, these cross sections are essential for many applications. In particular, a promising form of cancer treatment, hadron therapy, uses ions to irradiate tumours rather than the traditional x-rays, as they reduce the damage to healthy tissue. To deliver the dose at the correct depth, it is important to understand how the ions travel through the body and lose energy. These interactions are also relevant in astrophysics, when modelling solar wind interacting with planetary atmospheres or interstellar gas, and plasma physics including fusion energy research, to understand and control the plasma.

Although these cross sections are essential for modelling different environments, they are difficult to calculate. Kyna’s research focuses on extending the convergent close-coupling method to model interactions between ions and light multi-electron atoms, and exploring novel methods of analysing atom-atom collisions. This development will be done with the goal of building a database of results that can be to improve the quality of modelling for astrophysics, plasma physics, and medical physics applications.