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We present a range of cross section measurements for the low-energy scattering of positrons from pyridine, for incident positron energies of less than 20 eV, as well as the independent atom model with the screening corrected additivity rule including interference effects calculation, of positron scattering from pyridine, with dipole rotational excitations accounted for using the Born approximation. Comparisons are made between the experimental measurements and theoretical calculations. For the positronium formation cross section, we also compare with results from a recent empirical model. In general, quite good agreement is seen between the calculations and measurements although some discrepancies remain which may require further investigation. It is hoped that the present study will stimulate development of ab initio level theoretical methods to be applied to this important scattering system.

In an effort to aid the modelling of positron and positronium (Ps) transport in biological media we have compiled recent experimental results for the total Ps formation in positron scattering from atoms and molecules. A simple function was found to adequately describe the total Ps formation cross section for both atoms and molecules. The parameters of this function describe the magnitude and shape of the Ps formation cross section and are compared to physical characteristics of the target atoms and molecules. A general trend in the magnitude of the total Ps formation cross section is observed as a function of the target atom/molecule dipole polarisability. The functional form may enable quick estimation of the Ps cross section for molecules for which experimental measurements or theoretical estimates do not exist. © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd

We present in this study a self-consistent set of scattering cross sections for positron collisions with water molecules, in the energy range 0.1-10 000 eV, with the prime motivation being to provide data for modelling purposes. The structure of the database is based on a new model potential calculation, including interference terms, which provides differential and integral elastic as well as integral inelastic positron scattering cross sections for water molecules over the whole energy range considered here. Experimental and theoretical data available in the literature have been integrated into the database after a careful analysis of their uncertainties and their self-consistency. These data have been used as input parameters for a step-by-step Monte Carlo simulation procedure, providing valuable information on energy deposition, positron range, and the relative percentages of specific interactions (e.g. positronium formation, direct ionisation, electronic, vibrational and rotational excitations) in gaseous and liquid water. © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear imaging technique widely used in medicine. To understand the atomic and molecular processes occurring in PET an understanding of positron interactions with biologically relevant molecules is required. Low energy positron scattering for several biologically relevant molecules such as water, THF, and formic acid have been measured [1,2]. Studies of positron interactions with the DNA and RNA nucleobases are experimentally challenging as they are solid at room temperature and a vapour is required for scattering measurements. Experimental studies are only available for uracil at this time [3,4]. Positron interactions with Uracil were measured between 1 and 180 eV. Total scattering, total elastic scattering and positronium formation cross sections were measured. These measurements were completed using the Atomic and Molecular Positron Beamline of the Centre for Antimatter-Matter Studies¿ at the Australian National University. The apparatus produces a magnetically confined low energy, high resolution positron pulsed beam. The apparatus is described in detail in [5]. The positron beam had a typical energy resolution of 70 meV for these measurements. A heated scattering cell was used to obtain a sufficient vapour pressure from the solid uracil to measure scattering from single target molecules. Using this cell, uracil was heated to ~100° C and scattering measurements performed. The present results are compared with previous experimental results and theoretical calculations. These results contribute to the body of knowledge of positron interactions with biomolecules, which can then be incorporated into models of positron transport in biological systems, as well as testing the latest theoretical calculations for complex molecular targets.

Measurements of the grand total and total positronium formation cross sections for positron scattering from uracil have been performed for energies between 1 and 180 eV, using a trap-based beam apparatus. Angular, quasi-elastic differential cross section measurements at 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 eV are also presented and discussed. These measurements are compared to existing experimental results and theoretical calculations, including our own calculations using a variant of the independent atom approach.

We present new cross section results from a joint experimental and theoretical investigation into low-energy positron and electron scattering from two targets of biological interest, namely tetrahydrofuran and 3-hydroxy-tetrahydrofuran. We compare and discuss the total, elastic and inelastic cross sections for these species in the light of potential positron and electron-induced damage in biomolecular systems.

Measurements of the grand total and total positronium formation cross sections for positron scattering from uracil have been performed for energies between 1 and 180 eV, using a trap-based beam apparatus. Angular, quasi-elastic differential cross section measurements at 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 eV are also presented and discussed. These measurements are compared to existing experimental results and theoretical calculations, including our own calculations using a variant of the independent atom approach. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

© 2014 AIP Publishing LLC. Utilising a high-resolution, trap-based positron beam, we have measured both elastic and inelastic scattering of positrons from water vapour. The measurements comprise differential elastic, total elastic, and total inelastic (not including positronium formation) absolute cross sections. The energy range investigated is from 1 eV to 60 eV. Comparison with theory is made with both R-Matrix and distorted wave calculations, and with our own application of the Independent Atom Model for positron interactions.

Cross section results from a joint experimental and theoretical investigation into positron scattering from 3-hydroxy-tetrahydrofuran (3H-THF) are presented. Total and positronium (Ps) formation cross sections have been measured from 1 to 190 eV using the positron beamline at the Australian National University, which has an energy resolution between 60 and 100 meV. The total cross section (TCS) and the elastic and total inelastic integral cross sections in the energy range between 1 and 1000 eV have been computed within the Independent Atom Model using the Screening Corrected Additivity Rule approach. In addition, we have calculated elastic differential cross sections at selected incident energies. Our computations represent the first theoretical results reported for this target species, while our measured Ps formation cross sections are also novel. Comparison of the present TCS with the previous results from the University of Trento shows a good level of agreement at the lowest energies. We also provide a comparison between the present cross sections for 3H-THF and those from our earlier study on the parent molecule tetrahydrofuran. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.

We present total, elastic, and inelastic cross sections for positron and electron scattering from tetrahydrofuran (THF) in the energy range between 1 and 5000 eV. Total cross sections (TCS), positronium formation cross sections, the summed inelastic integral cross sections (ICS) for electronic excitations and direct ionization, as well as elastic differential cross sections (DCS) at selected incident energies, have been measured for positron collisions with THF. The positron beam used to carry out these experiments had an energy resolution in the range 40-100 meV (full-width at half-maximum). We also present TCS results for positron and electron scattering from THF computed within the independent atom model using the screening corrected additivity rule approach. In addition, we calculated positron-impact elastic DCS and the sum over all inelastic ICS (except rotations and vibrations). While our integral and differential positron cross sections are the first of their kind, we compare our TCS with previous literature values for this species. We also provide a comparison between positron and electron-impact cross sections, in order to uncover any differences or similarities in the scattering dynamics with these two different projectiles. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.

We describe a simple and versatile method to manipulate the amplitude of the magnetron orbit of ions stored in a Penning trap, applied here to a cloud of low energy positrons. By applying a pulsed voltage to a split electrode in the trap, which is normally used for rotating wall compression of the particles, the size of the magnetron orbit can be changed at will. The modified orbit has been shown to be stable for many magnetron periods. The technique could find use in applications which require off-axis ejection of particles, for instance in the filling of arrays of traps for multicell positron storage.

We have measured the production of Lyman α and Balmer α fluorescence from atomic H and D for the photodissociation of H2, HD and D2 by linearly-polarized photons with energies between 22 and 64 eV. We discuss systematic uncertainties associated with our data, and compare our results with previous experimental results and ab initio calculations of the dissociation process. We comment on the discrepancies.

We have studied simultaneous photoionization and excitation of Ar in the range of incident photon energies between 36.00 and 36.36 eV, where the resonant production of doubly excited neutral Ar states imbedded in the ionization continuum is dominant. By measuring the relative Stokes parameters of the fluorescence from residual Ar+∗ (3p4 [3P] 4p) ions (2P1/2, 465.8 nm transition; 2P3/2, 476.5 nm; 2D3/2, 472.7 nm; 2D5/2, 488.0 nm; 4P5/2, 480.6 nm; 4D5/2, 514.5 nm) we demonstrate a technique for determining individual partial-wave cross sections in photoionizing collisions. This procedure is shown to be important in sorting out competing dynamical ionization mechanisms, particularly with regard to resonant production of intermediate doubly excited autoionizing states. Comparison with theoretical photoionization cross sections demonstrates that spin–orbit coupling between different states of Ar II needs to be accounted for in the calculations.

We have measured the production of both Lyα and Hα fluorescence from atomic H and D for the photodissociation of H2 and D2 by linearly polarized photons with energies between 24 and 60 eV. In this energy range, excited photofragments result primarily from the production of doubly excited molecular species which promptly autoionize or dissociate into two neutrals. Our data are compared with ab initio calculations of the dissociation process, in which both doubly excited state production and prompt ionization (non resonant) channels are considered. Agreement between our experimental data and that of earlier work, and with our theoretical calculations, is qualitative at best.

We discuss recent experiments that study the transfer of angular momentum from a projectile to the residual target in collisions between the simple diatomic molecules H2 and N2 and spin-polarized electrons or circularly-polarized photons. We observe the fluorescence of both the atomic fragments and excited molecular states, and measure the circular polarization fraction of this light, P3. The incident electron energies range from 10 to 100 eV; the incident photon energies from 33 to 38 eV.