Magnetic Quenching of the Positronium Decay

Abstract

The influence of static and alternating magnetic fields on the radiative decay of positronium is investigated theoretically. Equations for the time variation of the probability amplitudes of the ortho- and para-states are presented and solved for various cases of experimental interest. In particular, formulas are derived which describe the resonance effects occurring in the case of a constant and a perpendicular alternating field.