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MEASUREMENTS OF QUENCHING OF ORTHOPOSITRONIUM IN GASES

Journal Article · · Proc. Phys. Soc. (London)

Three photon annihilations of ortho-positronium in gases as a function of pressure were investigated using a scintillation spectrometer technique. Quenching rates per atmosphere were determined for argon (0.035 lambda /sub 0/), neon (0.024 lambda /sub 0/, helium (0.014 lambda /sub 0/), oxygen (3 lambda /sup 0), nitric oxi de (400 lambda /sub 0/), and carbon dioxide (0.08 lambda /sub 0/ the last three being only very approximate. lambda /sub 0/ is the natural annihilation rate of ortho-positronium, 0.7 x 10/sup 7/ sec/sup -1/. The high quenching rates in oxygen and nitric oxide are attributed to ortho-topara conversion by electron exchange. The order of magnitude of the smaller quenching rates is understandable if the positronium atom annihilates with an electron of a gas molecule during collision (pick-off quenching). (auth)

Research Organization:
University Coll., London
NSA Number:
NSA-16-005912
OSTI ID:
4813614
Journal Information:
Proc. Phys. Soc. (London), Journal Name: Proc. Phys. Soc. (London) Vol. Vol: 78
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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