To the application of the emission Mössbauer and positron annihilation spectroscopies for detection of carcinogens

Being the main cause of cancer, almost all chemical carcinogens are strong electrophiles, that is, they have a high affinity for the electron. We have shown that positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) is able to detect chemical carcinogens by their inhibition of positronium (Ps) formation in liquid media. Electrophilic carcinogens intercept thermalized track electrons, which are precursors of Ps, and as a result, when they are present Ps atom does not practically form. Available biophysical data seemingly indicate that frozen solutions model better an intracellular medium than the liquid ones. So it is reasonable to use emission Mössbauer spectroscopy (EMS) to detect chemical carcinogens, measuring the yield of ⁵⁷Fe²⁺ions formed in reactions of Auger electrons and other secondary electrons they produced with ⁵⁷Fe³⁺. These reactions are similar to the Ps formation process in the terminal part the positron track: e⁺+ e^? =>Ps. So EMS and PALS are complementary methods for detection of carcinogenic compounds.     

Effect of an external electric field on the positronium formation in the positron spur

The decrease of positronium (Ps) formation in condensed matter caused by the presence of an external electric field is discussed in terms of the spur reaction model of Ps formation. The rather few experimental results available are shown to be in good agreement with the predictions of the model. Many new results are predicted by use of the available radiation-chemistry results. The work is also a reply to Brandt, who estimated that the spur process of Ps formation is insignificant in hydrocarbons. It is shown that Brandt's estimate disagrees with well established results of radiation chemistry.     

Depth-dependent positronium formation in γ-irradiated polymers after 30-month aging

Depth-dependent positronium (Ps) formation and annihilation study of Co-60 γ-irradiated polyethylene and polytetrafluorethylene were performed. After 30-month aging, no free radicals effect on Ps formation was detected for the studied polymers. Efficient trapping of back-diffusion positrons was observed in heavily irradiated samples, where Ps formation probability near polymer surface and in the bulk turns to be equivalent to each other. Results shown that positron annihilation Doppler broadening in polytetrafluorethylene is prevailingly influenced by high momentum electrons of fluorine atoms instead of Ps intensity.     

Enhancement of positron-atom annihilation near the positronium formation threshold

The behavior of the positron- 2 gamma annihilation rate on an atomic target near the positronium (Ps) formation threshold is determined. When the positron energy epsilon approaches the threshold epsilon(thr) from below, the effective number of electrons contributing to the annihilation, Z(eff), grows as Z(eff) approximately A/square root of [epsilon(thr)-epsilon], where A is related to the size of the Ps formation cross section, sigma(Ps) approximately B square root of [epsilon-epsilon(thr)], by A = B square root of [2 epsilon(thr)]/32 pi (in atomic units). Taking account of the finite Ps lifetime eliminates the singularity in Z(eff) and shows that close to threshold the positron annihilation cross section is identical to the para-Ps formation cross section.     

Positron polarization in chiral media

Summary The positron spin depolarization, relative to the direction of a static magnetic field, was investigated in some chiral media where Ps formation occurs. The results indicate that helical positrons are able to distinguish one enantiomer from the other: the remaining polarizations—just before Ps is formed—differ by about 20% on passing from one enantiomer to the other of the same chiral species. Moreover the existence of a process—strictly connected with chirality and able to hinder any depolarizing process more efficiently than the field itself—has been made evident at low fields. This work was supported by INFM (Consorzio Nazionale di Fisica della Materia).     

Vacuum pair-production in a classical electric field and an electromagnetic wave

Using semiclassical WKB-methods, we calculate the rate of electron–positron pair-production from the vacuum in the presence of two external fields, a strong (space- or time-dependent) classical field and a monochromatic electromagnetic wave. We discuss the possible medium effects on the rate in the presence of thermal electrons, bosons, and neutral plasma of electrons and protons at a given temperature and chemical potential. Using our rate formula, we calculate the rate enhancement due to a laser beam, and discuss the possibility that a significant enhancement may appear in a plasma of electrons and protons with self-focusing properties.     

Positronium formation in positron-helium collisions with a screened Coulomb interaction

A study is conducted on positronium (Ps) formation in positron-helium collisions under the effect of a Coulomb screening, e⁺ + He(1s ²) ?? Ps(100) + He⁺(100), using the second-order distorted-wave approximation (DWA) and taking into consideration the screened dipole polarisation potential at low and intermediate incident positron energies in the range, 6 ? 500 eV. The theoretical model for the scattering calculation is fairly accurate and predicts a number of interesting features in the total and differential cross sections for the screening parameter, ?? = 0.0?0.4. The existence of resonances in the S-, P-, D- and F-partial waves has been reported in this work. Surface plots of the total and differential cross sections have also been presented to illustrate the interesting nature of the Ps formation in this scattering process.     

Positronium formation for positron scattering from metastable hydrogen

Positronium(Ps) formation for positron impact on metastable hydrogen in 2s state has been studied by using the twochannel, two-center eikonal final state-continuum initial distorted wave(EFS-CDW) method. The differential, integrated,and total cross sections for Ps formation in different states have been calculated from each channel opening thresholds to high energy region. The results are compared with other theoretical calculations available in the literature. For Ps formation in s-state at intermediate and high energies, our results are in good agreement with the prediction of distorted wave theory.Those formed in p-states and the total Ps formation cross sections are reported for the first time. It is shown that the total Ps formation cross sections for positron scattering from H(2s) state are significantly larger at relatively low energies, while smaller at high energies, compared with those obtained from hydrogen in ground state.     

Positron spin relaxation in solids

Summary The positron spin relaxation in a longitudinal magnetic field was investigated in some solids where Ps formation occurs. The experimental results indicate that this relaxation manifests itself in those organic compounds where the positron can excite low-lying triplet states. The values of positron slowing-down time, obtained by adopting a schematic model, range from 13 to 28 ps. This work was supported by CISM (Centro Interuniversitario di Struttura della Materia) of Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione, and by GNSM (Gruppo Nazionale di Struttura della Materia) of CNR.     

Positronium formation from silver

Characterization of a positronium (Ps) gas target to be used for the charge conjugate reaction for antihydrogen formation [1], namely proton + Ps-atom → hydrogen + positron, has been performed [2–4]. In the above collision the Ps target utilised is produced efficiently on the transmission side of a hot thin (1900 Å) Ag(100) foil with 12% efficiency at 800 K foil temperature, with a mean velocity of thermally activated Ps of 1.2×10⁵ m/s and with a maximum kinetic energy of prompt emitted Ps of 1.5±0.2 eV.     

Processes following thermalization of positive particles in condensed matter

In previous discussions of the details of the processes which can lead to the formation of muonium, Mu, and positronium, Ps, the two fields of study have often been compared. In this communication we discuss the various mechanisms of Mu and Ps formation and particular attention is given to some of the more important differences between the physical properties of muons and positrons in condensed matter. Also, we discuss possible Mu and Ps reactions with some of the transient species created during the slowing down of the muon or positron. The effect of these latter processes may be that part of the formed Mu or Ps will not be recognized by the normal experimental techniquies. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the kinetics of the various muon and positron reactions are those of non-homogeous-kinetics.     

Defects in electron irradiated amorphous SiO2 probed by positron annihilation

Defects in 3-MeV electron irradiated amorphous (a-) SiO₂ were studied by the positron annihilation technique. A high formation probability of positronium (Ps) was found for un-irradiated a-SiO₂ specimens. These Ps atoms were considered to be trapped by vacancy-type defects. The formation probability of Ps was drastically decreased by the electron irradiation. This fact can be attributed to an introduction of vacancy-type defects such as oxygen vacancies by the electron irradiation and a resultant trapping of positrons by such defects.     

Plasma-screening effects on positronium formation

Plasma-screening effects on positronium(Ps) formation for positron-hydrogen collisions in a Debye plasma environment is further investigated using the screening approximation model with the inclusion of the modified structure of Ps.More accurate Ps formation cross sections(n = 1, 2) are obtained for various Debye lengths from the Ps formation thresholds to 50 eV. The influence of considering modified bound-state wave functions and eigenenergies for the Ps is found to result in the reduction of the Ps formation cross sections at low energies, whereas it cannot counteract the enhancement of the Ps formation by the Debye screening.     

对超热电子诱生的磁场分布的估算

利用简化模型估算了电荷分离场及由超热电子逃逸在等离子体表面产生的自生磁场的大小和空间分布.受电荷分离场的影响以及超热电子逃逸数的限制,超热电子产生的环形磁场主要分布于等离子体表面附近的焦斑半径内,仅当超热电子束流很强时(在1μm半径截面内达到10³A量级),环形磁场才可以达到10²T量级.一般情况下,由超热电子产生的磁场极小. 关键词： 磁场 超热电子     

Positronium formed by recombination of positron-electron pairs in polymers

In nonpolar polymers, positronium (Ps) is dominantly formed by fast intraspur reactions of the energetic positron, but its formation is partially contributed by recombination of weakly bound Mott-Wannier-like positron-electron pairs and is susceptible to electric field and positron irradiation induced perturbations. The average initial energy of para-Ps (p-Ps) formed by recombination is found to be about half the energy of ordinary p-Ps dominantly formed by the fast intraspur reactions.     

Positronium Formation in e^＋-K Collision at Low Energies

Positronium (Ps) formation cross section for positron scattering on potassium is calculated at low impact energies (0.2-15.0eV). The present calculation uses an optical-model method with an equivalent local polarization potential. The results for the Ps (n = 1) and Ps (n = 2) formation cross sections are calculated and compared with the experimental measurements and other theoretical results.     

DX<Superscript>−</Superscript> center formation in planar-doped GaAs:Si in strong electric fields

The kinetics of current decay and partial restoration in planar doped GaAs:Si due to the formation of DX^? centers in strong electric fields has been experimentally studied. The existence of thresholds with respect to the field strength and donor concentration is explained. A model of the DX^? center formation is proposed, which is based on the notions about variation of the depth and width of a potential well created by planar doping, caused by the redistribution of hot electrons between quantum confinement subbands. As a result, the energy level of DX^? centers, which is situated above the potential well depth in the absence of strong field, decreases and falls within the potential well. This makes possible the DX^? center formation, provided that hot electrons, occupying the resonance electron levels in the conduction band, simultaneously excite local vibrational modes.     

Electron scavenger effects on diamagnetic muon polarization in cyclohexane

The effect of electron scavengers on diamagnetic polarization P_D in cyclohexane were examined and compared with the experimental yield of Ps formation (inhibition and anti-inhibition effects) for the same solutions. The effect of C₆F₆ on P_D has been shown to sharply contrast, as we call non anti-inhibition, to the anti-inhibition effect in Ps formation. These results suggest that Muonium formation is different from Ps formation, and does not agree with the simple spur reaction model.     

Second bound state of PsH

The existence of a second bound state of PsH that is electronically stable and also stable against positron annihilation by the normal 2gamma and 3gamma processes is demonstrated by explicit calculation. The state can be found in the ;{2,4}S;{o} symmetries with the two electrons in a spin-triplet state. The binding energy against dissociation into the H(2p)+Ps(2p) channel was 7.03 x 10;(-4) hartree. The dominant decay mode of the states will be radiative decay into a configuration that autoionizes or undergoes positron annihilation. The NaPs system of the same symmetry is also electronically stable with a binding energy of 1.514 x 10;(-3) hartree with respect to the Na(3p)+Ps(2p) channel.     

Recovery of electron irradiated α-Ti single crystals-A positron annihilation study

Single crystals of α-Ti were irradiated at 100 K with 6 MeV electrons to a fluence of 2 × 10²⁰ electrons/m². The irradiation damage and its thermally-activated recovery, in the range 100-800 K, was studied by positron annihilation spectroscopy using the Doppler-broadening technique. Notable features of the recovery spectrum are (1) a large drop in the vacancy-associated defect signal between 110 and 135 K and (2) an enhancement of the defect signal between 250 and 300 K. The first feature is associated with vacancy annihilation by migrating self-interstitials and the second with clustering by freely migrating vacancies.