Database for inelastic collisions of lithium atoms with electrons, protons, and multiply charged ions

New experimental and theoretical cross-section data for inelastic collision processes of Li atoms in the ground state and excited states (up to n = 4) with electrons, protons, and multiply charged ions have been reported sinc e the database assembled by Wutte et al. [ATOMIC DATA AND NUCLEAR DATA TABL ES 65, 155, 1997] was published. These new data were included in a process of critical data assessment and led to the creation of a new database for t he modeling of energetic lithium beams probing fusion edge plasmas. The ele ctron-impact part of the present database covers excitation and ionization, the data having been extended by advanced close-coupling calculations whic h provide a new standard of quality especially for transitions between exci ted states. The heavy-particle impact processes include excitation and elec tron removal (the sum of ionization and electron capture). Hitherto, ion-im pact excitation cross sections for lithium (except for the main Li(2s --> 2 p) process) were based on scaling relations using the corresponding electro n-impact cross sections. We have now performed large-scale atomic orbital c lose-coupling calculations for a large number of excitation processes as we ll as new measurements toward development of the new database. The recommen ded cross sections for the considered processes have been fitted to simple analytic expressions. The analytic-fit expressions and the tables of the pa rameters entering these analytic fits are here presented. We also present t he recommended cross sections in graphical form together with the underlyin g experimental cross section data if available. (C) 1999 Academic Press.