A pulsed positronium beam using a positron buffer gas trap

Abstract

We describe the operation of a pulsed positronium beam based on a two-stage buffer gas positron trap (BGT) or a Surko trap. The BGT allows the areal density and temporal spread of the positron beam to be tailored. This tailored positron beam is used to form a positronium beam via charge exchange with an atomic or molecular gas. The resulting positronium beam is energy tunable, and the collimated beam relies on the angular differential positronium production cross section of the atomic or molecular gas used.