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The Buffer-Gas Positron Accumulator and Resonances in Positron-Molecule InteractionsThis is a personal account of the development of our buffer-gas positron trap and the new generation of cold beams that these traps enabled. Dick Drachman provided much appreciated advice to us from the time we started the project. The physics underlying trap operation is related to resonances (or apparent resonances) in positron-molecule interactions. Amusingly, experiments enabled by the trap allowed us to understand these processes. The positron-resonance "box score" to date is one resounding "yes," namely vibrational Feshbach resonances in positron annihilation on hydrocarbons; a "probably" for positron-impact electronic excitation of CO and NZ;an d a "maybe" for vibrational excitation of selected molecules. Two of these processes enabled the efficient operation of the trap, and one almost killed it in infancy. We conclude with a brief overview of further applications of the trapping technology discussed here, such as "massive" positron storage and beams with meV energy resolution.
Document ID
20080040755
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Surko, C.M.
(California Univ. San Diego, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2007
Publication Information
Publication: NASA GSFC Science Symposium on Atomic and Molecular Physics
Subject Category
Atomic And Molecular Physics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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