Interpretation of positron lifetime spectra arising from micellar solutions: Determination of the ortho-positronium diffusion coefficient in the solvent

Positron lifetime spectra arising from micellar solutions of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) are interpreted in terms of a classical positronium diffusion model published earlier. Unlike the generally accepted assumptions, this model results in a non-exponential ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetime density function. A new method is presented for the simultaneous fitting of this lifetime density function to independent lifetime spectra recorded under the same experimental conditions. Among the fit parameters D_p, the diffusion coefficient of o-Ps in the solvent (i.e. heavy water) phase is studied in detail; a detailed error analysis for D_p is also given. Provided that the mean aggregation number of SDS micelles is about 60, the published D_p values show that the diffusion coefficient of o-Ps in (heavy) water at room temperature is lower than that of small ions and molecules and the Arrhenius plot indicates a strong o-Ps localization in the solvent. The hydrodynamic radius of o-Ps is calculated from the o-Ps and micellar diffusion coefficients and from the micellar radius; it is greater than that of small ions and molecules and this can be considered as an independent indirect proof for the existence of o-Ps bubble in the (heavy) water.