Positron binding to atomic zinc

The fixed-core stochastic variational method has been used to predict the e xistence of a Zne(+) bound state with a binding energy of 0.001 425 Hartree and a 2 gamma annihilation rate of 0.248 x 10(9) s(-1). The underlying val idity of the model Hamiltonian was substantiated by predictions of the bind ing energies of Zn and Zn+. The convergence of the binding energy was very slow and further minimization of the energy was halted once a formal demons tration of binding had been achieved. The results of a single-positron mode l calculation of Zne(+) taken in conjunction with an examination of the con vergence pattern suggest that the true binding energy of the underlying mod el Hamiltonian is 0.0005-0.0010 Hartree larger than the quoted value.