Relaxed positronium in polymers

Abstract

Measurements of magnetic quenching of positronium atoms in polymers are reported. The amount of quenching of the tau 3 component as a function of the magnetic field leads to the conclusion that: (i) in Teflon the overlap probability mod psi (0) mod 2 of the interacting positron-electron pair does not differ from that typical of positronium in free space; (ii) in the other polymers examined mod psi (0) mod 2 is lower than that of free positronium indicating a relaxation of the positronium atom. The relaxation parameter proves to be sensitive to the medium and this fact is discussed. In addition, some information is given on the quenching of the intermediate component.