Formation of Quasi-Free and Bubble Positronium States in Water and Aqueous Solutions.

It is shown that in aqueous solutions a positronium atom is first formed in the quasi-free state, and, after 50-100 ps, becomes localized in a nanobubble. Analysis of the annihilation spectra of NaNO3 aqueous solutions shows that the hydrated electron is not involved in the positronium (Ps) formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]