An experimental investigation of light emission produced in the process of positronium formation in matter. Issue 19 (5th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pietrow, M.; Zaleski, R.; Wagner, A.; Słomski, P.; Hirschmann, E.; Krause-Rehberg, R.; Liedke, M. O.; Butterling, M.; Weinberger, D.
• Is Part Of: Physical chemistry chemical physics. Volume 23:Issue 19(2021)
• Page Start: 11264
• Page End: 11271
• Publication Date: 2021-05-05
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.3
• DOI: 10.1039/d1cp00755f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9076

Abstract

Abstract : The excess energy emitted as light, which may carry spectroscopic information during the positronium formation in condensed matter, is examined experimentally using alkanes and porous silica. Abstract : The excess energy emitted during the positronium (Ps) formation in condensed matter may be released as light. Spectroscopic analysis of this light can be a new method of studying the electronic properties of materials. We report the first experimental attempt, according to our knowledge, to verify the existence of this emission process. As a result, the possibility of the emission of photons during Ps formation is within the experimental uncertainty in two different solids: an n -alkane and porous silica. However, it seems that the Ps formation on the alkane surface is not accompanied by the emission of photons with energy in the detection range of 1.6–3.8 eV. Various processes that can influence the energy of the photon emitted during the Ps formation are discussed to elucidate this issue. To aid future experiments, equations were developed to estimate the expected ratio of light emission events to annihilation events with the presence or absence of a photon during the Ps formation.