Laser excitation of the n=3 level of positronium for antihydrogen production

We demonstrate laser excitation of the n=3 state of positronium (Ps) in vacuum. A specially designed high-efficiency pulsed slow positron beam and single shot positronium annihilation lifetime spectroscopy were used to produce and detect Ps. Pulsed laser excitation of n=3 level at 205 nm was monitored via Ps photoionization induced by a second intense laser pulse at 1064 nm. About 15% of the overall positronium emitted in vacuum was excited to n=3 and photoionized. Saturation of both the n=3 excitation and the following photoionization was observed and is explained by a simple rate equation model. Scanning the laser frequency allowed us to extract the positronium transverse temperature related to the width of the Doppler-broadened line. Moreover, preliminary observation of excitation to Rydberg states (n = 15...17) using n=3 as intermediate level was observed, giving an independent confirmation of efficient excitation to the 33P state.