Speaker
Description
Jefferson Lab will provide positron beams with intensities exceeding $6\times 10^{12}$ unpolarized positrons per second and more than $3\times 10^{11}$ polarized positrons per second. These beams enable a new accelerator-based source of quantum-entangled 511-keV gamma photons produced via positron–electron annihilation. Unlike conventional radioactive sources (e.g., $^{22}$Na), which are limited to about $10^8$ annihilations per second, this source can deliver more than $10^{12}$ entangled gamma-photon pairs per second. The well-defined time structure and polarization of the positron beam provide precise control over the annihilation process, offering capabilities not available with isotope-based sources. This intense, controllable source of entangled gamma photons opens new opportunities for studies of quantum entanglement, material ghost imaging, and potential improvements in positron emission tomography (PET).
