Positron–Helium Scattering Cross Sections and Phase Shifts below 19 eV

Abstract

The total cross sections for elastic scattering of positrons in the energy range from 4 to 19 eV have been measured by the method of transmission. By varying a magnetic field applied along the axis of the scattering chamber the transmitted fraction of the beam is altered, from which individual phase shifts can be extracted. s-, p-, and d-wave phase shifts are given over the entire energy range. The s-wave phase shifts are in agreement with values published by Drachman in 1968, while the p- and d-wave phase shifts are intermediate between values calculated by the same author in 1966 and 1971. The experimental results agree with those of Costello et al., and marginally with our own 1972 results, but are significantly different from those of Canter et al. We compute that the Ramsauer minimum in the diffusion cross section must be 0.04πa02 at 1.6 eV while the minimum in the total cross section is 0.11πa02 at 2.1 eV. The shoulder breadth observed in annihilation experiments is in nice agreement with what one would predict from our phase shifts.