LIFETIMES OF NEGATIVE-IONS DETERMINED IN A STORAGE-RING

Accurate lifetime data for metastable, negative atomic or molecular ions are studied to test theoretical predictions for electron-electron correlation. Heavy-ion storage rings can now provide access to experimental studies of autodetachment lifetimes in the similar to 10 mu s-1 s time interval which is otherwise almost inaccessible by traditional beam techniques. The recent lifetime studies of the He-, Be-, Ca-, and He-2(-) ions performed at the storage ring ASTRID are reviewed. Comparisons between the experimental lifetimes and available theoretical predictions exhibit significant deviations. New theoretical studies are needed.