Solution of Orthopositronium lifetime Puzzle

Abstract

The intrinsic decay rate of orthopositronium formed in $\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{O}}_2$ powder is measured using the direct $2\gamma$ correction method such that the time dependence of the pick-off annihilation rate is precisely determined. The decay rate of orthopositronium is found to be $7.0396\pm 0.0012(stat.)\pm 0.0011(sys.)\mu s^{-1}$, which is consistent with our previous measurements with about twice the accuracy. Results agree well with the $O({\alpha }^2)$ QED prediction, and also with a result reported very recently using nanoporous film.

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Precision physics of simple atoms: QED tests, nuclear structure and fundamental constants
• Spin half fermions with mass dimension one: theory, phenomenology, and dark matter
• An Improved Limit on Invisible Decays of Positronium
• First test of $O({\alpha }^2)$ correction of the orthopositronium decay rate