Gamma -ray spectra in the positron-annihilation process of molecules at room temperature

Abstract

In this study, a fully self-consistent method was developed to obtain the wave functions of the positron and electrons in molecules simultaneously. The wave function of a positron at room temperature , with a characteristic energy of approximately $0.04eV$, was used to analyse the experimental results of its annihilation in helium, neon, hydrogen, and methane molecules. The interactions between the positron and molecule provide a significant correction in the gamma-ray spectra of the annihilating electron--positron pairs. It was also observed that high-order correlations offered almost no correction in the spectra, as the interaction between the low-energy positron and electrons cannot drive the electrons into excited electronic states. More accurate studies, which consider the coupling of the positron--electron pair states and vibration states of nuclei, must be undertaken.