Quantum Behaviour of Electrons and Positrons

Lecturer: Jim Williams

1. Structures. Hydrogen and helium atoms, positronium, muonium, antihydrogen.
2. Dynamics. Electron elastic scattering, phase shift analysis and the inert gases.
3. Electron impact excitation of the 2p and 2s states of atomic hydrogen. Born approximation.
4. Electron impact ionization of argon atoms. Electron momentum distributions. Binary and recoil peaks of scattered electrons. Born approximation.
5. Interactions of positrons and electrons with free atoms.
6. Moderators of positron energies: ²²Na; tungsten films, solid neon.
7. Positron accumulator (trap) of low energy positrons.
8. Positron spectroscopies: annihilation lifetimes, angular correlation of annihilation radiation and Doppler broadening.
9. Applications: e.g. porosity of thin films.

Textbooks

1. Charlton M, Humberston JW 2001 Positron Physics, Cambridge, U.K Camb Univ Press
2. P Coleman, 2000, “Positron Beams”, World Scientific ISBN 981-02-3394-9
3. A Dupasquier and AP Mills 1995 Positron Spectroscopy of Solids
4. Schultz PJ and Lynn KG 1988 Interaction of positron beams with surfaces and thin films
   Rev Mod Phys 60 701

Assessment

3 hour written exam, or as modified after discussion with class at first lecture.