Positron Physics

M. Charlton, J. W. Humberston9780511535208, 9780521019392, 0521415500, 0521019397, 0511535201, 9780521415507

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the field of low energy positrons and positronium within atomic and molecular physics. It begins with an introduction to the field, discussing the background to low energy positron beams, and then covers topics such as total scattering cross sections, elastic scattering, positronium formation, excitation and ionization, annihilation and positronium interactions. Each chapter contains a blend of theory and experiment, giving a balanced treatment of all the topics. The book will be useful for graduate students and researchers in physics and chemistry. It is ideal for those wishing to gain rapid, in-depth knowledge of this unique branch of atomic physics.

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Table of contents :
Cover……Page 1
Half-title……Page 3
Series-title……Page 5
Dedication……Page 6
Title……Page 7
Copyright……Page 8
Contents……Page 9
Preface……Page 11
1.1 Historical remarks……Page 13
1 Positrons……Page 15
2 Positronium……Page 19
3 Other bound states involving positrons……Page 22
1.3 Basic experimental techniques……Page 23
1 Annihilation lifetimes……Page 24
2 Doppler shift or broadening of the annihilation radiation……Page 26
1.4 Slow positron beams……Page 28
1 Introduction to positron moderation……Page 29
2 Magnetically confined positron beams……Page 33
3 Electrostatic positron beams……Page 36
4 Facility-based beams……Page 38
1 Basic physics of positronium production……Page 39
2 Traditional methods……Page 40
3 Methods using positron beams……Page 41
1 Positrons……Page 47
2 Positronium……Page 50
2.1 Introduction……Page 52
2.2 Theory……Page 54
2.3 Experimental techniques……Page 60
2.4 General discussion of systematic errors……Page 69
2.5 Results and discussion – atoms……Page 75
1 Helium……Page 76
2 Heavier noble gases……Page 82
3 Alkali metals……Page 88
4 Atomic hydrogen……Page 91
1 Hydrogen……Page 93
2 Nitrogen……Page 96
3 Carbon dioxide……Page 98
4 Water……Page 100
2.7 Partitioning of the total cross section……Page 101
3.1 Introduction……Page 106
1 Positron–hydrogen scattering……Page 107
2 Positron–helium scattering……Page 125
3 Positron scattering by alkali atoms……Page 134
4 Positron scattering by other atoms and molecules……Page 138
5 Elastic scattering beyond inelastic and rearrangement thresholds……Page 141
3.3 Threshold effects……Page 144
3.4 Angle-resolved elastic scattering……Page 151
4.1 Introduction……Page 162
4.2 Theory……Page 163
1 Positron–hydrogen scattering……Page 164
2 Positron–helium scattering……Page 178
3 Positron–alkali atom scattering……Page 183
4 Other atoms and molecules……Page 186
4.3 Experimental techniques……Page 187
1 Noble gases and molecules……Page 197
2 Atomic hydrogen……Page 202
3 The alkali metals……Page 204
4.5 Other processes involving positronium formation……Page 207
4.6 Comparisons with protons……Page 212
4.7 Differential cross sections……Page 213
1 Models of the positronium fraction……Page 219
2 Positronium formation fraction – results……Page 222
5 Excitation and ionization……Page 226
1 Theory……Page 227
2 Experiment……Page 233
5.2 Ionization – theoretical considerations……Page 239
5.3 Ionization – experimental techniques for integrated cross sections……Page 246
1 Atomic hydrogen……Page 251
2 The noble gases……Page 253
3 Molecules……Page 255
4 Comparisons with heavier projectiles……Page 257
5 Near-threshold studies……Page 258
5.5 Multiple ionization……Page 260
5.6 Differential cross sections……Page 264
5.7 Inner shell ionization……Page 271
6.1 Introduction and theoretical considerations……Page 276
1 The traditional positron lifetime method – analysis and observables……Page 286
2 The positron-trap method for positron–gas studies……Page 290
1 Thermalization phenomena……Page 293
2 Equilibrium phenomena at low gas densities……Page 298
3 Equilibrium phenomena – many-body effects……Page 302
4 Electric fields……Page 305
5 Angular correlation and Doppler broadening studies……Page 309
6.4 Positron drift……Page 313
1 Lifetimes against annihilation……Page 319
2 Spectroscopic properties……Page 329
3 Non-spectroscopic laser studies of positronium……Page 337
1 Annihilation……Page 338
2 Scattering theory……Page 342
7.3 Experimental studies of positronium annihilation in gases……Page 348
7.4 Slowing down……Page 354
7.5 Bound states involving positronium……Page 360
7.6 Studies with positronium beams……Page 365
1 The production of positronium beams by positron–gas collisions……Page 366
2 Scattering experiments with positronium beams……Page 370
8.1 The positronium negative ion……Page 374
8.2 Systems containing more than one positron……Page 380
1 Introduction……Page 384
2 Antiproton deceleration, trapping and cooling……Page 386
3 Possible methods of low energy antihydrogen production……Page 388
4 Prospects for antihydrogen physics……Page 398
A International conferences on positron annihilation……Page 401
B International workshops on positron collisions in gases……Page 402
D Positron and positronium chemistry……Page 403
E Others……Page 404
References……Page 405
Index……Page 461