Positronium scattering by Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe in the frozen target approximation

A full-electron coupled-state treatment of positronium (Ps)- inert gas scattering is developed within the context of the frozen target approximation. Calculations are performed for Ps(Is) scattering by Ne and Ar in the impact energy range 0-40 eV using coupled pseudostate expansions consisting of nine and 22 Ps states. The purpose of the pseudostates is primarily to represent ionization of the Ps which is found to be a major process at the higher energies. First Born estimates of target excitation are used to complement the frozen target results. The available experimental data are discussed in detail. It is pointed out that the very low energy measurements (less than or equal to2 eV) correspond to the momentum transfer cross section sigma(mom) and not to the elastic cross section sigma(el). Calculation shows that sigma(mom), and sigma(el) diverge very rapidly with increasing energy and consequently comparisons of the low-energy data with ITel can be very misleading. Agreement between the calculations and the low-energy measurements of anion as well;as higher energy (greater than or equal to15 eV) beam measurements of the total cross section, is less than satisfactory. Results for Ps(1s) scattering by Kr and Xe in the static-exchange approximation are also presented.

Importance of the H- channel in Ps-H scattering

It is shown that virtual H- formation has a profound effect upon low-energy Ps(1s)-H(1s) scattering, yet H- formation only accounts for about 10% of the total cross section just above threshold. Infinite series of Rydberg resonances converging on to the H- formation threshold are seen.

Positronium scattering by atomic hydrogen with inclusion of target excitation channels

Calculations are reported for positronium (Ps) scattering by atomic hydrogen (H) in the energy range 0-6.5 eV in a coupled- pseudostate approximation in which excitation and ionization channels of both the Ps and the H are taken into account. The approximation contains an accurate representation of the van der Waals coefficient. Results are presented for phase shifts, scattering lengths, effective ranges, and various cross sections including partial wave, total, and ortho-para conversion cross sections. An analysis of the possible spin transitions is provided and the energy of the positronium hydride (PsH) bound state is determined. Substantial differences are found from earlier work within the frozen target approximation, now clearly confirming the importance of target excitation channels. Good agreement is obtained with recent calculations of S-wave phase shifts and scattering lengths using the stabilization method. Convergence to the exact binding energy for PsH appears to be slow. Resonances corresponding to unstable states of the positron orbiting H- are seen in the electronic spin singlet partial waves. The importance of the H- formation channel is discussed.

Positron scattering by the negative hydrogen ion

Results are presented for e(+) scattering by H- in the impact energy range 0less than or equal toE(0)less than or equal to10 eV. These include integrated cross sections for Ps formation in the 1s, 2s, and 2p states, as well as in an aggregate of states with ngreater than or equal to3, and for direct ionization. Differential cross sections for Ps formation in the 1s, 2s, and 2p states are also exhibited. The calculations are based on a coupled pseudostate approach employing 19 Ps pseudostates centered on the e(+). It is found that Ps formation in the 2p state dominates that in the 1s or 2s states below 8 eV, that formation in states with ngreater than or equal to3 exceeds the sum of the n=1 and n=2 cross sections above 2.5 eV, and that direct ionization outstrips total Ps formation above 6.3 eV. The threshold law (E-0-->0) for exothermic Ps formation, which includes the cases Ps(1s), Ps(2s), and Ps(2p), is shown to be 1/E-0.

Positronium scattering by lithium

We report cross sections for Ps(1s)-Li(2s) scattering in the energy range up to 30 eV. The calculations have been carried out in a coupled state approximation. The Ps states consist of both eigenstates and pseudostates. the latter to allow for ionization of the Ps. The atom is treated as a frozen core represented by it model potential which supports the valence orbitals. The coupled state expansion includes only the 2s and 2p states of the atom as well as in unphysical Is state which exists in the model potential. The inclusion of this Is state is necessary in order to avoid pronounced false pseudostructure. Results are presented for excitation and ionization of the Ps as well as collisions in which the Ps(1s) remains unchanged. These results also differentiate between the case where the Li(2s) remains unexcited and where it is excited to the 2p level. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Virtual state scattering with cold electrons: para-xylene and para-difluorobenzene

The scattering of electrons with kinetic energies down to a few meV by para-xylene and para-difluorobenzene has been observed experimentally with an electron beam energy resolution of 0.95 to 1.5 meV (full width half maximum). At low electron energies the collisions can be considered as cold scattering events because the de Broglie wavelength of the electron is considerably larger than the target dimensions. The scattering cross sections measured rise rapidly at low energy due to virtual state scattering. The nature of this scattering process is discussed using s- and p-wave phase shifts derived from the experimental data. Scattering lengths are derived of, respectively, -9.5+/-0.5 and -8.0+/-0.5 a.u. for para-xylene and para-difluorobenzene. The virtual state effect is interpreted in terms of nuclear diabatic and partially adiabatic models, involving the electronic and vibronic symmetries of the unoccupied orbitals in the target species. The concept of direct and indirect virtual state scattering is introduced, through which the present species, in common with carbon dioxide and benzene, scatter through an indirect virtual state process, whereas other species, such as perfluorobenzene, scatter through a direct process. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.

Giant resonances in cold electron scattering by CS2

Experimental data are presented for the scattering of cold electrons by CS2, for both integral and backward scattering, between a few meV and a few hundred meV impact energy. Giant resonances with cross sections in excess of 50 Angstrom(2) are observed below 100 meV, associated with the transient formation of CS2- at 15 meV and with the bend and symmetric stretch of CS2 at thresholds of 49 and 82 meV, respectively. The resonance at 49 meV is 2 orders of magnitude greater in cross section than a dipole impulsive model predicts. These structures are superimposed on a sharp rise in the scattering cross section at low energy, which may be attributed to virtual state scattering.

Quantum manifestations of scattering orbits in the scaled spectrum of a non-hydrogenic atom in crossed fields

Evidence for scattering closed orbits for the Rydberg electron of the singly excited helium atom in crossed electric and magnetic fields at constant scaled energy and constant scaled electric field strength has been found through a quantum calculation of the photo-excitation spectrum. A particular 3D scattering orbit in a mixed regular and chaotic region has been investigated and the hydrogenic 3D closed orbits composing it identified. To the best of our knowledge, this letter reports the first quantum calculation of the scaled spectrum of a non- hydrogenic atom in crossed fields.