How Do We Model Positronium in Quantum Mechanics?

[K.J.Healey]

Though very short lived, how do we view the couple? As a single electron shell, distant from the "nucleus"/positron. Are the energy levels the same as if you view it as a positron shell around an electron nucleus? Or do we just model it as a pair of charged particles in QM distribution about a central point.

 

[ZapperZ]

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/17559

Zz.

 

[sir-pinski]

The concept of positronium is an interesting one, as it is a short-lived state of matter consisting of an electron and a positron (the antiparticle of an electron) orbiting each other. In terms of how we view this couple, it is important to understand that positronium is a purely quantum mechanical phenomenon and cannot be fully explained by classical models.

One way to view positronium is as a single electron shell, distant from the "nucleus"/positron. This is similar to the Bohr model of the atom, where the electron is in a fixed orbit around the nucleus. However, in positronium, the electron and positron are constantly exchanging energy and momentum, making it a much more dynamic system.

Alternatively, we can also view positronium as a pair of charged particles in a quantum mechanical distribution about a central point. This takes into account the wave-like nature of particles, where the electron and positron can be thought of as occupying a space around the central point rather than being in a fixed orbit.

In terms of energy levels, the behavior of positronium is similar to that of a hydrogen atom, where discrete energy levels exist for the electron and positron. However, due to the equal mass of the electron and positron, the energy levels in positronium are slightly different than those in a hydrogen atom.

In conclusion, positronium is a unique and fascinating phenomenon that is best understood through quantum mechanics. It can be viewed as a single electron shell or as a pair of charged particles in a quantum mechanical distribution, and its energy levels are similar to those of a hydrogen atom but with slight differences due to the equal masses of the particles.