New calculation of the properties of the positronium ion

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Phys. Rev. A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.28.2523· OSTI ID:5457533

Bhatia, A K; Drachman, R J

The positronium negative ion (Ps/sup -/), the system composed of two electrons and a positron, has been reinvestigated theoretically. Using a Hylleraas wave function with two nonlinear parameters and more than 200 linear terms, we have obtained excellent values of binding energy and annihilation lifetime of the particle-stable /sup 1/S/sup e/ ground state. In addition, we have examined the question of stability of the /sup 3/P/sup e/ state discussed by Mills, we agree with his conclusion that the state is probably not stable against breakup into Ps(n = 2)+e/sup -/. Improved limits on the critical ''positron'' mass for binding the /sup 3/P/sup e/ state have also been obtained.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Astronomy and Solar Physics, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
• OSTI ID: 5457533
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. A; (United States), Vol. 28:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
POSITRONIUM
BINDING ENERGY
LIFETIME
ANIONS
ANNIHILATION
EXCITED STATES
STABILITY
BASIC INTERACTIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ENERGY
ENERGY LEVELS
INTERACTIONS
IONS
640303* - Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics- Positronium
Muonium
& Muonic & Mesic Atoms & Molecules