The role of bound states in positronium annihilation

The temperature dependence of the rates of positronium reaction with diamagnetic organic molecules in liquids, and the observed complicated conversive-chemical interaction of positronium with many paramagnetic molecules in the liquid and gas phases lead to the formulation of some general concepts about positronium interaction with quenchers. The positronium and acceptor (Ps-M) complexing is a very essential step of the interaction mechanism. In the case of unstable complexes the contribution of annihilation from the bound state can change depending on the physical conditions of the reaction (pressure in the gas phase, transition from the gas to the liquid phase, heating or replacement of the liquid solvent). The dependence on temperature and on the solvent nature is accounted for by formation of a “bubble” around the positronium in many liquids. At the moment of complexing the “bubble” shrinks with a swiftness depending upon properties of the liquid (surface tension and viscosity). With unstable complexes this leads to complex decomposition and, correspondingly, either to elimination of interaction with the diamagnetic acceptor or, in the case of paramagnetic acceptors, to conversion on the latter, rather than to annihilation from the bound state. With stable complexes further positronium annihilation will occur only from the bound state.