In recent years, the impact of new experimental techniques (e.g., nuclear physics methods, availability of high-intensity light sources) as well as an increasing demand for atomic collision data in other fields of physics (e.g., plasma physics, astrophysics, laser physics, surface physics, etc.) have stimulated a renewed, strong interest in atomic collision research. Due to the explosive development of the various fields, scientists often even have dif ficulty in keeping up with their own area of research; as a result, the overlap between different fields tends to remain rather limited. Instead of having access to the full knowledge accumulated in other fields, one uses only the small fraction which at the moment seems to be of immediate importance to one's own area of interest. Clearly, many fruitful and stimulating ideas are lost in this way, causing progress to be made much more slowly than it could be. Atomic col lision physics is no exception to this rule. Although it is of basic interest to many other areas, it is mostly regarded merely as a (nonetheless important) tool by which to gain additional information.

This volume contains the lectures presented at the NATO Advanced study Institute "Fundamental Processes of Atomic Dynamics" held in Maratea. Italy from September 20th to October 2nd 1987. The institute and this volume were conceived as a natural complement to previous institutes held in Maratea (1982) and in Santa Flavia (1984. ) whose proceedings are to be found in NATO ASI Series B vol. 103 and 134 respectively. The subject matter of these institutes was the study of the funda mental processes occurring in the interactions of atoms with photons. electrons and heavy-ions. The aim has been to unify these processes in a coherent experimen tal and theoretical approach. The present volume brings this approach up to date and contains in addition. for contrast and variety. a description of similar dynamical processes in the study of clusters and surfaces. The institute was opened with a lecture by Joe Macek in which he summarised the current status of atomic collision research. propounded the philosophy of a unified approach to structure, fragmentation and collision and posed the outstanding questions in the field. This lecture forms the introduction to this volume. The subject matter was divided into experiment and theory with the lectures inter-linked so that the one could re-inforce the other. The whole of the theoretical part of the institute was organised by Ugo Fano as an on-going symposium."

The Proceedings of the Advanced study Institute on Fundamental Processes in Atomic Collision Physics (Santa Flavia, Italy, September 10-21, 1984) are dedicated to the memory of Sir Harrie r-1assey, whose scientific achievements and life are reviewed herein by Sir David Bates. At the first School on the above topic (Maratea, September 1983, Volume 103 in this series), Harrie Massey presented the introductory lectures, summarized the entire lecture program, and presented an outlook on future developments in atomic collision physics. In an after-dinner speech, Massey recalled personal reminiscences and historical events with regard to atomic collision physics, to which he had contributed by initiating pioneering work and by stimulating and surveying this branch of physics over a period of almost six decades. Participants in the Maratea School will always remember Harrie Massey as a charming and wonderful person who was most pleased to discuss with everyone--students, postdoctorals, and senior scientists--any topic in atomic collision physics. Harrie Massey was a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the 1984 Santa Flavia School. Before his death he expressed his interest in attending this second School devoted to the presentation of recent developments and highlights in atomic collision physics. It is the desire of all authors to honor Harrie Massey with their contributions in these Proceedings.