Cold trapped positrons and progress to cold antihydrogen

Author(s)
Estrada, John Karl, 1970-
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Physics.
Advisor
Gerald Gabrielse and Daniel Kleppner.
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Abstract
A new physical mechanism for positron accumulation is explained and demonstrated. Strongly magnetized Rydberg positronium is formed and then ionized, allowing us to trap equal numbers of either positrons or electrons over a wide range of conditions. Antiprotons are trapped, cooled, and stacked from the new Antiproton Decelerator facility for the first time. Combining positrons and antiprotons, we have demonstrated the first positron cooling of antiprotons. The cooling takes place in a 4.2 K, nested Penning trap where conditions are ideal for the eventual goal of the formation of antihydrogen.
Description
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Physics, 2002.
 
Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-122).
 
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
 
Date issued
2002
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/16797
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Physics.
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