Two-stage Rydberg charge exchange: An efficient method for production of antihydrogen

Abstract

An efficient method for production of cold antihydrogen ({bar H}) is proposed. Alkali-metal atoms laser excited to a Rydberg state are charge exchanged with cold trapped positrons, producing Rydberg states of positronium. In a second Rydberg-state charge exchange, the positronium atoms give up their Rydberg positrons to cold trapped antiprotons, producing Rydberg states of {bar H}. These {bar H} atoms soon decay down to the ground state, and, because they are cold, could be trapped in a magnetic trap. The efficiency of the process results from the extremely large cross sections for Rydberg charge exchange. Classical trajectory Monte Carlo calculations indicate an {bar H} instantaneous production rate of 10{sup 6}/s. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}