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

摘要: 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 trapped positrons, producing states positronium. In second Rydberg-state exchange, the positronium give up their positrons antiprotons, {bar H}. These H} soon decay down ground state, and, because they cold, could be in magnetic trap. The efficiency process results from extremely large cross sections exchange. Classical trajectory Monte Carlo calculations indicate an instantaneous rate 10{sup 6}/s. {copyright} {ital 1998} American Physical Society}