Dielectronic recombination (DR) is a fundamental atomic process that governs the ionization balance in plasmas relevant to strong-field physics and astrophysics. It plays a unique bridging role in two frontier fields: testing strong-field quantum electrodynamics (QED) and diagnosing non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) kilonova spectra. 
In strong-field physics, the inner-shell electrons of highly charged heavy ions (e.g., H-like U⁹¹⁺ and Li-like U⁸⁹⁺) experience Coulomb fields as strong as Zα~1, where higher-order QED effects (two-loop self-energy and higher-order vacuum polarization) become significantly enhanced. In the recent collaboration with S. Schippers and colleagues from the University of Giessen^[1], I provided critical theoretical support for the precision DR resonance spectroscopy of Be-like Pb⁷⁸⁺ ion measured at the CRYRING facility. The study successfully revealed the contribution of second-order QED effects to the resonance energies, validating the reliability of theoretical methods under strong-field conditions and establishing a methodological foundation for strong-field QED tests at next-generation heavy-ion facilities, such as the High-Intensity Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF-SRing) in Huizhou. 
On the other hand, in NLTE kilonova spectroscopy, the DR processes of lanthanide elements directly regulate the ionization balance and level populations, thereby shaping the intensity and profiles of mid-infrared spectral lines. I am currently studying the DR processes for lanthanide ions (e.g. Nd II–IV and Sm II–IV), to fill critical gaps in the relevant atomic data. These efforts provide essential atomic physics support for extracting true lanthanide abundances from astronomical observations by JWST, XRISM, and future missions, ultimately contributing to unraveling the origin of heavy elements in the universe.
This report will present recent advances in DR study, spanning from well-benchmarked highly-charged ions to complex lanthanide ions, and demonstrate how precise atomic data bridge the frontiers of strong-field physics and astrophysics.

Dielectronic Recombination