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Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
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Published on: May 3, 2019

Positronium-ion decay.

Mariusz Puchalski1, Andrzej Czarnecki, Savely G Karshenboim

  • 1Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G7, Canada.

Physical Review Letters
|February 1, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

We calculated the decay width for the negative positronium ion (Ps-), a three-particle bound state. This precise theoretical prediction includes second-order corrections and will be experimentally verified.

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Area of Science:

  • Atomic Physics
  • Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)

Background:

  • The negative positronium ion (Ps-) is a fundamental three-particle system composed of two electrons and a positron.
  • Understanding its decay properties is crucial for testing fundamental theories like QED.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a highly precise theoretical prediction for the decay width of the negative positronium ion (Ps-).
  • To include higher-order QED corrections, specifically O(alpha^2) effects, for the first time in the decay of a three-particle bound state.

Main Methods:

  • A large-scale variational calculation was employed to determine the decay width.
  • The calculation incorporated hard virtual photon corrections and soft corrections to the wave function and decay amplitude.

Main Results:

  • A precise theoretical prediction for the decay width of the negative positronium ion (Ps-) was obtained: Gamma(Ps-) = 2.087 963(12)/ns.
  • This result represents the first calculation of second-order corrections to the decay of a three-particle bound state.

Conclusions:

  • The presented theoretical prediction offers a benchmark for future experimental verification.
  • The study paves the way for more accurate tests of QED in few-body systems.