MEASUREMENTS OF QUENCHING OF ORTHOPOSITRONIUM IN GASES
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
Similar Records
FORMATION AND QUENCHING OF POSITRONIUM IN GASES. PAPER 11. RESULTS OBTAINED WITH THE POSITRON LIFETIME METHOD
FORMATION AND QUENCHING OF POSITRONIUM IN GASES. 1. RESULTS OBTAINED WITH THE THREE-PHOTON COINCIDENCE METHOD