Measuring the positron affinities of atoms

Citation
J. Mitroy et Gg. Ryzhikh, Measuring the positron affinities of atoms, J PHYS B, 32(15), 1999, pp. L411-L417
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS B-ATOMIC MOLECULAR AND OPTICAL PHYSICS
ISSN journal
09534075 → ACNP
Volume
32
Issue
15
Year of publication
1999
Pages
L411 - L417
Database
ISI
SICI code
0953-4075(19990814)32:15<L411:MTPAOA>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
It is proposed that the binding energies of positrons to a number of atoms be determined by the charge transfer reaction A(-)+e(+) --> Ae(+)+e(-). Thi s reaction can be realized in the laboratory by directing a negative ion be am through a positron trap and measuring positively charged ions downstream . Unique identification of Ae(+) is possible when the electron affinity, po sitron affinity and neutral atom ionization potentials satisfy a few simple identities. This technique could be used to investigate the existence of p ositron binding for a number of elements such as Si, Fe, Cu, Ge, Ru, Ag, Sn , Sb, Ta, W,Au, Pb and Bi.