Determination and applications of enhancement factors for positron and ortho-positronium annihilations
- Faculty of Technology, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909 (Australia)
Electron-positron annihilation rates calculated directly from the electron and positron densities are known to underestimate the true annihilation rate. A correction factor, known as the enhancement factor, allows for the local increase of the electron density around the positron caused by the attractive electron-positron interaction. Enhancement factors are given for positrons annihilating with the 1s electron in H, He{sup +}, He, Li{sup 2+}, and Li{sup +}. The enhancement factor for a free positron annihilating with He{sup +} and He is found to be close to that of ortho-positronium (i.e., Ps in its triplet state) annihilating with these atoms. The enhancement factor for Ps-He scattering is used in conjunction with the known annihilation rate for pickoff annihilation to derive a scattering length of 1.47a{sub 0} for Ps-He scattering. Further, enhancement factors for e{sup +}-Ne and e{sup +}-Ar annihilation are used in conjunction with the pickoff annihilation rate to estimate scattering lengths of 1.46a{sub 0} for Ps-Ne scattering and 1.75a{sub 0} for Ps-Ar scattering.
- OSTI ID:
- 20786306
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 72; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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