Field Ionization of Strongly Magnetized Rydberg Positronium: A New Physical Mechanism for Positron Accumulation

Magnetized Rydberg positronium forms when an energetic positron ( e⁺) slows within a tungsten crystal and picks up an electron ( e^-) as it emerges in a strong magnetic field. The signature is equal numbers of e⁺ and e^- when a weak electric field is applied, either of which can be accumulated and counted. The new e⁺ accumulation technique is simple, robust, and much more efficient than any other demonstrated to be compatible with a cryogenic vacuum. Possible applications include the study of cold single component plasmas of e⁺ and the formation of cold antihydrogen.