EPJ D Colloquium: Recent positron-atom cross section measurements and calculations

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Published on 14 October 2014

In this EPJ D colloquium paper, the authors review a cross-section of recent results relating to low-energy positron scattering from atomic targets, and present a comparison of the latest measurements and calculations for positron collisions with the noble gases, together with a brief update on the newest studies addressing other atomic targets. In particular, they provide an overview of the work that has been done in examining elastic scattering, positronium formation, direct and total ionisation, as well as total scattering, at typical energies ranging from 0.1 eV to a few hundred eV.

They discuss the differences in the current experimental data and compare these results with the available theoretical models. Recommended experimental data sets taken from the considered cross-section of results are also reported for each noble gas. Finally a summary of the recent developments in scattering from other atoms, such as atomic hydrogen, the alkali and alkaline-earth metals, and two-electron systems, is presented.