Positronium annihilation in liquids in the framework of non-local interaction

In the bubble model of ortho positronium (o-Ps) annihilation in liquid the origin of the trapping of o-Ps is the electron-exchange repulsive interaction between the electron of o-Ps and the electron of the medium. The corresponding effective interaction is non-local in nature. However, in the prevalent bubble model, this effective interaction is usually treated as local (model) potential (sharp or smooth). In the present study, we have taken an approach to consider this trapping interaction as non-local in nature, which is included through a model separable non-local function to tackle the problem in analytically solvable manner. The analytical calculations show that this non-local interaction effectively acts as a gauge potential in the energy of the Ps atom in parameter (bubble radius) space. The computed bubble variables obtained using experimental Ps annihilation data are shown. A comparison between the present data with the calculated results using prevalent bubble model has been presented. Discussions have been made on the input parameter dependencies of the computed data.     

A first step towards a quantum mechanical description of surface energy and diffusivity in the bubble model of positronium annihilation

In the bubble model of positronium annihilation in liquids, the inward contractile force on the bubble surface is described through classical surface tension of the liquids. In the present calculation, we adopted a simple quantum mechanical approach to describe the bubble surface energy in terms of the motion of a representative quasi-free electron outside the bubble. The bubble parameters (radius, potential, etc.) for different liquids obtained using the prescribed model are consistent with the results obtained using classical surface tension.     

Effect of temperature on positronium annihilation in silica gel

A systematic temperature-dependent study of positronium annihilation rate within the void spaces (micro- and mesopores) of silica gel material has been performed through positronium annihilation spectroscopy. The results find their plausible interpretation through a novel theoretical explanation based on vibrational interaction of thermally energized atoms on the surface layer of the pores with positronium, which in fact justifies the observed increase in the annihilation rate of the latter, with the increase in temperature.     

Electron irradiation induced microstructural modifications in BaCl2 doped PVA: A positron annihilation study

Thin films of pure and 10 wt% BaCl₂ doped poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared by solution casting method. These films were subjected to electron irradiation for different doses ranging from 0 to 400 kGy in air at room temperature. The effect of electron irradiation on the optical and free volume related microstructures of these polymer films was studied using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, FTIR and UV-vis techniques. The FTIR spectral studies indicate that the electron irradiation induces chemical modifications within the doped PVA, which results in chain scission as well as cross-linking of the polymer. The positron lifetime study on these irradiated polymers shows that the chain scissions and cross-linking within the polymer matrix affect the free volume content and hence the microstructure. The UV-vis optical absorption studies show that the induced microstructural change by electron irradiation also modifies the optical properties. Using UV-vis spectra, the optical energy band gap was estimated and it decreases with increase in electron dose. A correlation between positron results and optical results is obtained and electron irradiation induced microstructure modifications within the doped polymer are understood. The results highlight the usefulness of positron annihilation technique in the study of the microstructure of irradiated polymers.     

Investigation of energy band gap and its correlation with vacancy defects in Pb1-xNixO nanoparticles synthesized through sol-gel method

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - Nickel doped lead oxide (Pb1-xNixO) nanoparticles with different concentration (x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30) of...