The tests of CP and CPT symmetry using the J-PET detector

Symmetries under the parity transformation (P), charge-conjugation (C) and time reversal (T) are of fundamental importance in nuclear and elementary particle physics. Studies of the observables violating the combined CP symmetry constitute precise tests of the Standard Model. However, CP violation was observed to date only for systems involving quarks, raising the importance of searches its manifestations e.g. in purely leptonic systems. The 3γ decay of spin-aligned ortho-positronium atoms (o-Ps) can be used to test CP invariance in such a purely leptonic system. The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) detection system enables experimental tests of CP and CPT through measurement of the expectation values of angular correlation operators odd under these transformations and constructed from (i) spin vector of the ortho-positronium atom, (ii) co-planar momentum vectors of photons originating from the decay of the positronium atom, and (iii) linear polarization direction of annihilation photons. Precise experimental symmetry tests with J-PET are possible thanks to a dedicated reconstruction technique of 3γ ortho-positronium decays and a positronium production chamber including a highly porous aerogel target, whose setup allows for determining the orthopositronium spin polarization without the use of an external magnetic field.

Photodetachment of the Positronium Negative Ion with Excitation in the Positronium Atom

Lyman-α radiation ( 2 P → 1 S ) has been seen from astrophysical sources and the sun. The line shape of this transition has been measured recently in Ps atoms both inside and outside a porous silica target. In the photodetachment of Ps−, the residual Ps atom can be left in the 2P state instead of the 1S state giving rise to positronium Lyman radiation at 2432 A0. Photodetachment cross sections of Ps− have been calculated when the Ps atom is left in nP states, n being 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, using the asymptotic form of the bound-state wave function and a plane wave for the final state wave function, following the approach of Ohmura and Ohmura [Phys. Rev. 1960, 118, 154] in the photodetachment of H−.