Measurements from the SAO EBIT Facility in Support of X-ray Observatories

Recent measurements made at the Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) facility at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) are presented. The upcoming era of non-dispersive, high-resolution X-ray microcalorimeter missions, including XRISM (2023) and Athena, is expected to revolutionize X-ray astronomy. Results from the Hitomi mission showed that systematic errors from the models and underlying atomic physics may dominate over instrumental and statistical errors. Therefore, if state-of-the art observatories are not met with adequate advances in laboratory data, the scientific potential of these missions may be compromised. The emerging SAO EBIT facility is well suited for these laboratory studies given its location at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, where laboratory scientists and direct users of the data co-exist. Measurements presented demonstrate the EBIT’s ability to isolate charge states and distinguish atomic processes. A recently developed collisional-radiative model was used to simulate the EBIT plasma and help identify measured features. We also present an update on the overall status and plans for the emerging facility.