Enhanced Resonant Positron Annihilation due to Nonfundamental Modes in Molecules

Positrons attach to most molecules through Feshbach resonant excitation of fundamental vibrational modes, and this leads to greatly enhanced annihilation rates. In all but the smallest molecules, vibrational energy transfer further enhances these annihilation rates. Evidence is presented that in alkane and cycloalkane molecules, this can occur by the excitation of other than fundamental vibrations and produce roughly comparable annihilation rates. These features are compared to infrared absorption spectra. A possible mechanism is discussed that involves combination and overtone vibrations.