Positron or Positroniumlike Surface State on Al(100)?

Abstract

Using a high-intensity beam of 200-eV positrons we have measured the two-dimensional angular correlation of the $2\ensuremath{\gamma}$ annihilation radiation from a clean Al(100) surface. The momentum distribution identified with the positron surface state has a nearly isotropic conical shape and a (7.1 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.5)-mrad full width at half maximum. The data are not consistent with a simple interpretation based on either the usual model of a positron bound in a surface state by its "image-correlation potential" or a positronium atom weakly bound to the surface.