Positron scattering from argon: total cross sections and the scattering length

We report results from new positron–argon total cross-section (TCS) measurements. Agreement with the corresponding recent data of Jones et al (2011 Phys. Rev. A 83 032701) is found to be very good, except at the lowest energies of common measurement. Excellent qualitative agreement is also found bet...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zecca, A, Chiari, L, Trainotti, E, Fursa, Dmitry, Bray, Igor, Sakar, A, Chattopadhyay, S, Ratnavelu, K, Brunger, M
Format: Journal Article
Published: Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd. 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/12022
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Summary:We report results from new positron–argon total cross-section (TCS) measurements. Agreement with the corresponding recent data of Jones et al (2011 Phys. Rev. A 83 032701) is found to be very good, except at the lowest energies of common measurement. Excellent qualitative agreement is also found between our measurements and an improved convergent close-coupling (CCC) calculation which was undertaken as a part of this study. This level of accord between our experimental and theoretical TCSs has enabled us to determine an experimental scattering length (a) of a = -4.9 ± 0.7 au for the positron–argon system. That value is in excellent agreement with the relativistic polarized orbital optical potential approach result of Jones et al (a = -4.7 au) and our CCC result of a = -4.3 au.