Ionization and Recombination with Electrons: Laboratory Measurements and Observational Consequences

Reliably interpreting spectra from both photoionized and electron-ionized cosmic plasmas requires an accurate understanding of the ionization balance of the source and the underlying atomic physics which produces the ionization structure. Uncertainties in ionization balance calculations hamper our ability to model cosmic sources and to infer reliably their properties. Of particular importance are accurate rate coefficients for electron impact ionization (EII) and dielectronic recombination (DR). Here I briefly review the astrophysical implications due to current uncertainties in EII and DR and discuss our ongoing laboratory work aimed to remove these uncertainties.