van der Waals coefficients for positronium interactions with atoms

Abstract

The random-phase approximation with exchange (RPAE) is used with a $B$-spline basis to compute dynamic dipole polarizabilities of noble-gas atoms and several other closed-shell atoms (Be, Mg, Ca, Zn, Sr, Cd, and Ba). From these, values of the van der Waals $C_6$ constants for positronium interactions with these atoms are determined and compared with existing data. Our best predictions of $C_6$ for Ps--noble-gas pairs are expected to be accurate to within 1%, and to within a few per cent for the alkaline earths. We also used accurate dynamic dipole polarizabilities from the literature to compute the $C_6$ coefficients for the alkali-metal atoms. Implications of increased $C_6$ values for Ps scattering from more polarizable atoms are discussed.