On the production of the positive antihydrogen ion H+ via radiative attachment

• Published in: Journal of physics. B, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics Vol. 47; no. 22; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: KEATING, C. M, CHARLTON, M, STRATON, Jack C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol Institute of Physics 28.11.2014
• Subjects: Antihydrogen; Atomic and molecular physics; Atomic properties and interactions with photons; Attachment; Balancing; Cross sections (physics); Estimates; Exact sciences and technology; Photodetachment of atomic negative ions; Photon interactions with atoms; Physics; Positrons; Spectroscopy; Antimatter; Negative ions; Hydrogen ions; Photoionization; Electron photodetachment; Hydrogen Atomic ions; Positive ions; Cross sections
• ISSN: 0953-4075; 1361-6455
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-4075/47/22/225202

We provide an estimate of the cross section for the radiative attachment of a second positron into the (ls super(2) super(1)S super(e)) state of the H+ ion using Ohmura and Ohmura's (1960 Phys. Rev. 118 154) effective range theory and the principle of detailed balance. The H+ ion can potentially be created using interactions of positrons with trapped antihydrogen, and our analysis includes a discussion in which estimates of production rates are given. Motivations to produce H+ include its potential use as an intermediary to cool antihydrogen to ultra-cold (sub-mK) temperatures for a variety of studies, including spectroscopy and probing the gravitational interaction of the anti-atom.