Positron scattering and annihilation on noble-gas atoms

D. G. Green, J. A. Ludlow, and G. F. Gribakin
Phys. Rev. A 90, 032712 – Published 10 September 2014

Abstract

Positron scattering and annihilation on noble-gas atoms is studied ab initio using many-body theory methods for positron energies below the positronium formation threshold. We show that in this energy range, the many-body theory yields accurate numerical results and provides a near-complete understanding of the positron–noble-gas atom system. It accounts for positron-atom and electron-positron correlations, including the polarization of the atom by the positron and the nonperturbative effect of virtual positronium formation. These correlations have a large influence on the scattering dynamics and result in a strong enhancement of the annihilation rates compared to the independent-particle mean-field description. Computed elastic scattering cross sections are found to be in good agreement with recent experimental results and Kohn variational and convergent close-coupling calculations. The calculated values of the annihilation rate parameter Zeff (effective number of electrons participating in annihilation) rise steeply along the sequence of noble-gas atoms due to the increasing strength of the correlation effects, and agree well with experimental data.

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  • Received 31 July 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.90.032712

©2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

D. G. Green*, J. A. Ludlow, and G. F. Gribakin

  • Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

  • *Present address: Joint Quantum Centre (JQC) Durham-Newcastle, Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom. Address correspondence to dermot.green@balliol.oxon.org
  • Present address: AquaQ Analytics, Suite 5, Sturgeon Building, 9-15 Queen Street, Belfast, BT1 6EA, United Kingdom.
  • g.gribakin@qub.ac.uk

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Issue

Vol. 90, Iss. 3 — September 2014

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