Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Antiprotons

Pyrovus - 30-1-2004 at 19:48

Here's an idea I had a while ago, which came to me while reading about how alkali metals dissolve in liquid ammonia to create solvated electrons, which behave as stable anions. So I thought, perhaps something similar is possible with antiprotons? Obviously not with ammonia, as the antiprotons will just annihilate with the hydrogens on the ammonia. But with large atoms, with lots of electrons preventing the antiproton from getting into the nucleus, maybe it could be possible to form salts with an antiproton as the anion, such as cesium antihydride? This could perhaps be a good way of storing antimatter (if it works) - the antiproton salt could be stored in a vacuum container made of large atoms like lead. Could this idea have any chance of working?

Theoretic - 5-2-2005 at 15:30

Hmmm... Don't see why it can't work, worth atry, inform people in the know who might have some use for this.:P

I am a fish - 7-2-2005 at 13:39

I very much doubt any such system would be stable. Antiprotons would be electrostatically attracted to protons (regardless of whether they were isolated or within a larger atomic nucleus).

When isolated from matter nuclei, the antiprotons would act approximately like heavy electrons. However, because of their higher mass, they would "orbit" closer to the nuclei than the real electrons (the Bohr radius is inversely proportional to mass) and so would not be protected from annihilation.

searat - 8-2-2005 at 02:07

They normal store the antimatter for about a week in colse to subzero temputeres, i think a laser that emites protons would replie anti protons so you could trap them in a circle, some checials relese protons radavitve(maybe),

[Edited on 8-2-2005 by searat]

neutrino - 8-2-2005 at 14:12

The part with the laser is a little cryptic. Are you referring to the containment system where a laser (emitting photons) traps particles and cools them?

searat - 8-2-2005 at 21:07

A sphere of lasers with anti photons traped in the middle, as they will repel each other. The cooling will stop normal matter radating energy that the anti photons will react with.

I am a fish - 9-2-2005 at 01:23

The photon and the antiphoton are the same particle.

searat - 9-2-2005 at 22:04

sorry ,proton and anti photon

[Edited on 10-2-2005 by searat]