Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review A

Positronium scattering by atomic hydrogen with inclusion of target excitation channels

Jennifer E Blackwood, Mary T. McAlinden, H. R. J. Walters

Published Feb 27, 2002• 52 citations
Publisher

Abstract

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 ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ are seen in the electronic spin singlet partial waves. The importance of the ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ formation channel is discussed.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.65.032517

Related papers

Positronium–hydrogen-atom scattering in a five-state model

Sadhan K. Adhikari, Priyanka Biswas

The scattering of orthopositronium (Ps) by hydrogen atoms has been investigated in a five-state coupled-channel model allowing for $\mathrm{Ps}(1s)\mathrm{H}(2s,2p)$ and $\mathrm{Ps}(2s,2p)\mathrm{H}(1s)$ excitations using a recently proposed electron-exchange model potential. The higher $(n>~3)$ excitations and ionization of the Ps atom are calculated using the first Born approximation. Calculations are reported of scattering lengths, phase shifts, elastic, Ps and H excitation, and total cross sections. Remarkable correlations are observed between the S-wave Ps-H binding energy and the singlet scattering length, effective range, and resonance energy obtained in various model calculations. These correlations suggest that if a Ps-H dynamical model yields the correct result for one of these four observables, it is expected to lead to the correct result for the other three. The present model, which is constructed so as to reproduce the Ps-H resonance at 4.01 eV, automatically yields a Ps-H bound state at $\ensuremath{-}1.05$ eV that compares well with the accurate value of $\ensuremath{-}1.067$ eV. The model leads to a singlet scattering length of ${3.72a}_{0}$ and effective range of ${1.67a}_{0},$ whereas the correlations suggest the precise values of ${3.50a}_{0}$ and ${1.65a}_{0}$ for these observables, respectively.

arXiv:physics/9911054•Physical Review A•Mar 1, 1999•37 citations

Scattering of positronium from singly ionized helium and appearing resonances

Priyanka Biswas, Gupta, H. M.

The coupled-channel model [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 59}, 363 (1999)] that yields converged low-energy phase shifts, and exact binding and resonance features in Ps-H [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 59}, 2058 (1999)] is applied to study Ps-He$^+$ scattering. Similar to PsH, resonances appear in the S-, P-, D-, etc partial waves in the Ps-He$^+$ system but in both the singlet and triplet scattering channels. The latter signifies possible Rydberg states of $e^+$ around singlet and triplet helium. The S-wave singlet resonance at 2.79 eV agrees to that predicted earlier in $e^+$-He entrance channel (energy difference 16.64 eV) at 19.27 eV [Chem. Phys. Lett. {\bf 262}, 460 (1996)].

arXiv:physics/0106041•Jun 13, 2001•0 citations

Calculations of positronium-atom scattering using a spherical cavity

A. R. Swann, G. F. Gribakin

Positronium (Ps) scattering by noble-gas atoms (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) is studied in the frozen-target approximation and with inclusion of the van der Waals interaction. Single-particle electron and positron states in the field of the target atom are calculated, with the system enclosed by a hard spherical wall. The two-particle Ps wave function is expanded in these states, and the Hamiltonian matrix is diagonalized, giving the Ps energy levels in the cavity. Scattering phase shifts, scattering lengths, and cross sections are extracted from these energies and compared with existing calculations and experimental data. Analysis of the effect of the van der Waals interaction shows that it cannot explain the recent experimental data of Brawley et al. for Ar and Xe [Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 223201 (2015)].

arXiv:1712.05127•Physical Review A•Jan 22, 2018•14 citations

Positronium-hydrogen elastic scattering

Richard J. Drachman, S. K. Houston

We have investigated the elastic scattering of positronium atoms by hydrogen atoms below the excitation threshold at 5.1 eV, limiting the investigation to the spin-zero (singlet) state of the two electrons. Nonresonant $S$-wave phase shifts have been obtained from normalizable trial functions by extracting the center-of-mass wave function and examining its spatial behavior. An effective-range expansion is fitted to the phase shifts and the previously obtained positronium-hydride bound-state energy to yield a scattering length $a\ensuremath{\cong}5.3{a}_{0}$ compared with Fraser's corrected exchange result, $a=7.28{a}_{0}$ (${a}_{0}$ is the Bohr radius). The stabilization method suggests that a resonance occurs at a scattering energy of 4.5 eV, about 0.6 eV below the excitation threshold. Using the complex rotation method, we have obtained evidence confirming the existence of the resonance and an estimate of its width of about 6 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ eV.

Physical Review A•Sep 1, 1975•91 citations

Positronium-hydrogen elastic scattering: The electronic S=1 state

Richard J. Drachman, S. K. Houston

We have continued our investigation into the elastic scattering of positronium atoms by hydrogen atoms, extending the work to include the spin-one (triplet) state of the two electrons. Once again we have extracted the $S$-wave phase shifts from normalizable trial functions by examining the spatial behavior of the center-of-mass wave functions. An effective-range expansion linear in the positronium energy fits the results very well and leads to a scattering length ${a}^{(\ensuremath{-})}\ensuremath{\simeq}2.36{a}_{0}$, compared with the static result ${a}^{(\ensuremath{-})}=2.476{a}_{0}$ of Hara and Fraser. The $S$-wave total and ortho-para conversion cross sections are calculated by making use of both $^{1}S$ and $^{3}S$ results. In the $^{3}S$ case, we see no indication of any resonances below the excitation threshold at 5.1 eV.

Physical Review A•Aug 1, 1976•61 citations

S−, P−, and D -wave resonances in positronium–lithium-atom scattering

Priyanka Biswas

We investigate ortho-positronium--lithium-atom (Ps-Li) scattering using static-exchange and three-Ps-state coupled-channel calculations. The present three-Ps-state scheme, while closely agreeing with the resonance and binding energies in the Ps-H system, predicts $S\ensuremath{-},$ $P\ensuremath{-},$ and $D$-wave resonances at 4.25 eV, 4.9 eV, and 5.25 eV, respectively, in the electronic spin-singlet channel of Ps-Li scattering. The present calculation also yields a Ps-Li binding in this attractive singlet channel with an approximate binding energy of 0.218 eV, which is in adherence with the recent findings of a chemically stable PsLi system using stocastic variational and quantum Monte Carlo calculations. We further report elastic, $\mathrm{Ps}(2s)\ensuremath{-},$ and $\mathrm{Ps}(2p)$-excitation cross sections at low to medium energies (0.068--30 eV).

Physical Review A•Dec 8, 1999•18 citations
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\ensuremath−{\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}H\ensuremath− are seen in the electronic spin singlet partial waves. The importance of the H\ensuremath−{\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}H\ensuremath− formation channel is discussed.
The scattering of orthopositronium (Ps) by hydrogen atoms has been investigated in a five-state coupled-channel model allowing for Ps(1s)H(2s,2p)\mathrm{Ps}(1s)\mathrm{H}(2s,2p)Ps(1s)H(2s,2p) and Ps(2s,2p)H(1s)\mathrm{Ps}(2s,2p)\mathrm{H}(1s)Ps(2s,2p)H(1s) excitations using a recently proposed electron-exchange model potential. The higher (n> 3)(n>~3)(n> 3) excitations and ionization of the Ps atom are calculated using the first Born approximation. Calculations are reported of scattering lengths, phase shifts, elastic, Ps and H excitation, and total cross sections. Remarkable correlations are observed between the S-wave Ps-H binding energy and the singlet scattering length, effective range, and resonance energy obtained in various model calculations. These correlations suggest that if a Ps-H dynamical model yields the correct result for one of these four observables, it is expected to lead to the correct result for the other three. The present model, which is constructed so as to reproduce the Ps-H resonance at 4.01 eV, automatically yields a Ps-H bound state at $\ensuremath{-}1.05$ eV that compares well with the accurate value of $\ensuremath{-}1.067$ eV. The model leads to a singlet scattering length of 3.72a0{3.72a}_{0}3.72a0​ and effective range of 1.67a0,{1.67a}_{0},1.67a0​, whereas the correlations suggest the precise values of 3.50a0{3.50a}_{0}3.50a0​ and 1.65a0{1.65a}_{0}1.65a0​ for these observables, respectively.
The coupled-channel model [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 59}, 363 (1999)] that yields converged low-energy phase shifts, and exact binding and resonance features in Ps-H [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 59}, 2058 (1999)] is applied to study Ps-He+^++ scattering. Similar to PsH, resonances appear in the S-, P-, D-, etc partial waves in the Ps-He+^++ system but in both the singlet and triplet scattering channels. The latter signifies possible Rydberg states of e+e^+e+ around singlet and triplet helium. The S-wave singlet resonance at 2.79 eV agrees to that predicted earlier in e+e^+e+-He entrance channel (energy difference 16.64 eV) at 19.27 eV [Chem. Phys. Lett. {\bf 262}, 460 (1996)].
Positronium (Ps) scattering by noble-gas atoms (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) is studied in the frozen-target approximation and with inclusion of the van der Waals interaction. Single-particle electron and positron states in the field of the target atom are calculated, with the system enclosed by a hard spherical wall. The two-particle Ps wave function is expanded in these states, and the Hamiltonian matrix is diagonalized, giving the Ps energy levels in the cavity. Scattering phase shifts, scattering lengths, and cross sections are extracted from these energies and compared with existing calculations and experimental data. Analysis of the effect of the van der Waals interaction shows that it cannot explain the recent experimental data of Brawley et al. for Ar and Xe [Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 223201 (2015)].
We have investigated the elastic scattering of positronium atoms by hydrogen atoms below the excitation threshold at 5.1 eV, limiting the investigation to the spin-zero (singlet) state of the two electrons. Nonresonant SSS-wave phase shifts have been obtained from normalizable trial functions by extracting the center-of-mass wave function and examining its spatial behavior. An effective-range expansion is fitted to the phase shifts and the previously obtained positronium-hydride bound-state energy to yield a scattering length $a\ensuremath{\cong}5.3{a}_{0}$ compared with Fraser's corrected exchange result, a=7.28a0a=7.28{a}_{0}a=7.28a0​ (a0{a}_{0}a0​ is the Bohr radius). The stabilization method suggests that a resonance occurs at a scattering energy of 4.5 eV, about 0.6 eV below the excitation threshold. Using the complex rotation method, we have obtained evidence confirming the existence of the resonance and an estimate of its width of about 6 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ eV.
We have continued our investigation into the elastic scattering of positronium atoms by hydrogen atoms, extending the work to include the spin-one (triplet) state of the two electrons. Once again we have extracted the SSS-wave phase shifts from normalizable trial functions by examining the spatial behavior of the center-of-mass wave functions. An effective-range expansion linear in the positronium energy fits the results very well and leads to a scattering length ${a}^{(\ensuremath{-})}\ensuremath{\simeq}2.36{a}_{0}$, compared with the static result ${a}^{(\ensuremath{-})}=2.476{a}_{0}$ of Hara and Fraser. The SSS-wave total and ortho-para conversion cross sections are calculated by making use of both 1S^{1}S1S and 3S^{3}S3S results. In the 3S^{3}S3S case, we see no indication of any resonances below the excitation threshold at 5.1 eV.
We investigate ortho-positronium--lithium-atom (Ps-Li) scattering using static-exchange and three-Ps-state coupled-channel calculations. The present three-Ps-state scheme, while closely agreeing with the resonance and binding energies in the Ps-H system, predicts $S\ensuremath{-},$ $P\ensuremath{-},$ and DDD-wave resonances at 4.25 eV, 4.9 eV, and 5.25 eV, respectively, in the electronic spin-singlet channel of Ps-Li scattering. The present calculation also yields a Ps-Li binding in this attractive singlet channel with an approximate binding energy of 0.218 eV, which is in adherence with the recent findings of a chemically stable PsLi system using stocastic variational and quantum Monte Carlo calculations. We further report elastic, $\mathrm{Ps}(2s)\ensuremath{-},$ and Ps(2p)\mathrm{Ps}(2p)Ps(2p)-excitation cross sections at low to medium energies (0.068--30 eV).