Search for laser-induced formation of antihydrogen atoms

Antihydrogen can be synthesized by mixing antiprotons and positrons in a Penning trap environment. Here an experiment to stimulate the formation of antihydrogen in the n = 11 quantum state by the introduction of light from a CO2 continuous wave laser is described. An overall upper limit of 0.8% with...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2006-11, Vol.97 (21), p.213401-213401, Article 213401
Main Authors: Amoretti, M, Amsler, C, Bonomi, G, Bowe, P D, Canali, C, Carraro, C, Cesar, C L, Charlton, M, Ejsing, A M, Fontana, A, Fujiwara, M C, Funakoshi, R, Genova, P, Hangst, J S, Hayano, R S, Jørgensen, L V, Kellerbauer, A, Lagomarsino, V, Lodi Rizzini, E, Macrì, M, Madsen, N, Manuzio, G, Mitchard, D, Montagna, P, Posada, L G C, Pruys, H, Regenfus, C, Rotondi, A, Telle, H H, Testera, G, Van der Werf, D P, Variola, A, Venturelli, L, Yamazaki, Y, Zurlo, N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ANTIPROTONS
ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
HYDROGEN
POSITRONS
RECOMBINATION
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Summary:Antihydrogen can be synthesized by mixing antiprotons and positrons in a Penning trap environment. Here an experiment to stimulate the formation of antihydrogen in the n = 11 quantum state by the introduction of light from a CO2 continuous wave laser is described. An overall upper limit of 0.8% with 90% C.L. on the laser-induced enhancement of the recombination has been found. This result strongly suggests that radiative recombination contributes negligibly to the antihydrogen formed in the experimental conditions used by the ATHENA Collaboration.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.97.213401