Transmission positron images using imaging plates

As an image recording medium for transmission positron microscopes, imaging plates are quite useful and powerful. Imaging plates are also quite sensitive and the photon-stimulated luminescence (PSL) is linearly proportional to the positron intensity in six digits (10⁶). No bulky or expensive equipment is necessary to accommodate in vacuum. Imaging plates can be set under bright lights, this is different from the photographic films. Darkness is only required during exposure and transfer to a reader. Slow Positron Facility at KEK, Japan was used to study the effect of “mono-chromatic” positron beam. Specimens were set just in front of an imaging plate. After a certain time of exposure, the imaging plates were processed by a reader. Used imaging plates can be used repeatedly after erased by ultra-violet lights. Images through samples can be obtained. Similar experiments using non-monochromatic (white) positrons and electrons have been performed at Teikyo University of Science and Technology (TUST) and Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto Univ. (RRI). Sealed ²²Na positron source can be conveniently used for non-destructive tests.     

First positron experiments at NEPOMUC

The in-pile positron source NEutron induced POsitron source MUniCh (NEPOMUC) of the new Munich research reactor FRM-II is now operated at the nominal reactor power of 20 MW. Recently, intensity and positron beam profile measurements were performed at 30 eV and 1 keV, respectively. For this purpose, NaI-scintillators detect the 511 keV γ-radiation of positrons that annihilate at a removable target in the beam line. The beam profile is determined with a micro-channel plate detector and a CCD-camera. In the present arrangement of NEPOMUC's instrumentation the positron beam is connected to a coincident Doppler broadening (CDB) facility and to a positron induced Auger electron spectroscopy (PAES) analysis chamber. First experiments were carried out in order to show the performance of these new spectrometers. An overview of the positron beam facility is given and first experimental results of PAES are presented.     

A comparative study between slow electrons and positrons transport in solid thin films

In this work, we have conducted a comparative study between the transport of electrons and positrons in aluminum and gold solid thin films, in the examined primary energy range (0-4 keV), by using the Monte Carlo method. This comparative study has been used for three transport phenomena: transmission, absorption and backscattering and it will be useful for experimenters to choose between electron or positron beams for thin film characterizations. Here, we have calculated quantities such as absorption probability, mean penetration depth, transmission probability, transmission energy distributions and backscattering coefficient, for both electron and positron. The agreement between our results and the available experimental data is found to be good within the limits of the statistical accuracy.     

Development of the Low Energy Particle Toroidal Accumulator project

The Low Energy Particle Toroidal Accumulator (LEPTA), a positron storage ring with electron cooling, was constructed and put in operation at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna). The storage ring is a generator of directed beams of ortho-positronium (o-Ps) produced upon the recombination of the beam of positrons circulating in the storage ring with a single-pass electron beam. In 2004 the storage ring was put in operation with the circulating electron beam. The source of positrons of the positron injector was tested with a new radioactive source delivered from South Africa. The positron trap was put in operation for electrons. The electron cooling system was tested with a pulsed electron beam. The progress in commissioning LEPTA is described in this paper.     

GaN-a new material for positron moderation

GaN with its wide bandgap might be of interest as a positron moderation material in much the same way as SiC is. To investigate this, positron beam experiments have been performed to establish the diffusion behaviour and surface branching of positrons implanted with energies varying from 0 to 25 keV into an epitaxially grown layer of semi-insulating GaN on a sapphire substrate. The measured diffusion length of the positrons amounted to 19.3 ± 1.4 nm. The surface branching ratios were as follows: 48% positron emission, 12% positronium formation and 40% trapping at the surface. The positron workfunction was shown to be negative with a value of 2.4 ± 0.3 eV. The materials feasibility for positron moderation and its possible use in field assisted moderation is discussed.     

The E166 experiment: Development of an undulator-based polarized positron source for the international linear collider

A longitudinal polarized positron beam is foreseen for the international linear collider (ILC). A proof-of-principle experiment has been performed in the final focus test beam at SLAC to demonstrate the production of polarized positrons for implementation at the ILC. The E166 experiment uses a 1 m long helical undulator in a 46.6 GeV electron beam to produce a few MeV photons with a high degree of circular polarization. These photons are then converted in a thin target to generate longitudinally polarized e ⁺ and e ⁻. The positron polarization is measured using a Compton transmission polarimeter. The data analysis has shown asymmetries in the expected vicinity of 3.4% and ∼1% for photons and positrons respectively and the expected positron longitudinal polarization is covering a range from 50% to 90%.      

Relevance of slow positron beam research to astrophysical studies of positron interactions and annihilation in the interstellar medium

The processes undergone by positrons in the interstellar medium (ISM) from the moments of their birth to their annihilation are examined. Both the physics of the positron interactions with gases and solids (dust grains), and the physical conditions and characteristics of the environments where the processes of energy loss, positronium formation, and annihilation taking place, are reviewed. An explanation is given as to how all the relevant physical information are taken into account in order to calculate annihilation rates and spectra of the 511 keV emission for the various phases of the ISM; special attention is paid to positron interactions with dust and with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. An attempt is made to show to what extent the interactions between positrons and interstellar dust grains are similar to laboratory experiments in which beams of slow positrons impinge upon solids and surfaces. Sample results are shown for the effect of dust grains on positron annihilation spectra in some phases of the ISM which, together with high resolution spectra measured by satellites, can be used to infer useful knowledge about the environment where the annihilation is predominantly taking place and ultimately about the birth place and history of positrons in the Galaxy. The important complementarity between work done by the astrophysical and the solid-state positron communities is strongly emphasized and specific experimental work is suggested which could assist the modeling of the interaction and annihilation of positrons in the ISM.     

Electron microscopes using field emission source

The high brightness and small physical dimensions of a field emission source make it extremely attractive as the source of electrons in scanning electron microscopes. Using this kind of source considerable improvements have been made in this type of instrument so that at the present time the surfaces of solid objects can be viewed at a resolution of 30 Å and thin specimens can be viewed with a resolution of 2.5 Å. The particular nature of the scanning electron microscope allows some unique forms of contrast to be obtained so that the micrographs which can be taken with these microscopes are different in content and quality than those taken on conventional microscopes. As one example, we have been able to study the motion of single heavy atoms on thin carbon films. The resolution is, of course, not as high as that which can be obtained with a field ion microscope but the kind of specimen which can be viewed is different so that the two instruments are complementary in nature.     

Positron beam studies of transients in semiconductors

Vacancy-sensing positron deep level transient spectroscopy (PDLTS) is a positron beam-based technique that seeks to provide information on the electronic ionization levels of vacancy defects probed by the positron through the monitoring of thermal transients. The experimental discoveries leading to the concept of vacancy-sensing PDLTS are first reviewed. The major problem associated with this technique is discussed, namely the strong electric fields establish in the near surface region of the sample during the thermal transient which tend to sweep positrons into the contact with negligible defect trapping. New simulations are presented which suggest that under certain conditions a sufficient fraction of positrons may be trapped into ionizing defects rendering PDLTS technique workable. Some suggestions are made for techniques that might avoid the problematic electric field problem, such as optical-PDLTS where deep levels are populated using light and the use of high forward bias currents for trap filling.     

Experimentelle Untersuchung der direkten Elektron-Positron-Paarerzeugung in Kupfer durch Elektronen von 5,8 MeV kinetischer Energie

The direct production of positrons by electrons in copper was investigated using the 5.8 MeV electron beam from the 6 MeV microtron of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. Cross sections were derived from the measurements under the assumption that the positrons produced directly and those produced indirectly by bremsstrahlung photons have the same angular distribution. The values obtained are greater than those calculated numerically by Löns by a factor of 1.3 to 1.45. It is shown that there is an essential contribution of direct positron production to the electron positron conversion factor in thin foils consisting of elements with low atomic number. The experimental set-up is described in detail. Its main feature is the use of a special positron transmission line with bending magnet in order to overcome background difficulties.     

Planned positron experiments at FRM-II

The new research reactor FRM-II near Munich has a strong positron source, which delivers an intense, nearly monoenergetic positron beam. Our positron systems, the pulsed low energy positron source (PLEPS) and the scanning positron microscope (SPM) will be operated at this beam. Some aspects of matching these systems to the new positron source will be discussed.Considerable improvements are expected, e.g. more than 10⁵ s⁻¹ recorded events at PLEPS and sub-micrometre resolution at SPM. They will enable investigations in so far inaccessible problems like the evaluation of annihilation characteristics and trapping constants of individual defects or studies of fast dynamical processes. In applied materials science complex defect structures will be studied which demand a resolution into many differing lifetimes, e.g. fractured specimens, wear, corrosion, etc. Also large series of measurements at small systematic modifications are planned. There is also the opportunity to analyse in addition the chemical microstructure of the specimens by means of a hydrogen microprobe and other ion beam techniques available close to FRM-II at the Technical University of Munich.     

A positron remoderator for the high intensity positron source NEPOMUC

A remoderator for the high intensity positron source NEPOMUC was developed and installed at the beam facility. A beam of remoderated positrons could be produced with different energies and a diameter of less than 2 mm was obtained. The efficiency of the remoderation setup was determined to be 5%. Due to the brilliance of the remoderated beam, the measurements at the coincidence Doppler broadening spectrometer (CDBS) and at the positron annihilation induced Auger electron spectrometer (PAES) could be improved. The setup and functionality of the remoderation device is presented as well as the first measurements at the remoderator, CDBS and PAES.     

脉冲慢正电子束流的直流化装置

在基于加速器的北京慢正电子强束流装置上, 用Penning-Trap技术实现了脉冲慢正电子束流的存储和直流化. 实验表明, 系统的真空度对正电子的存储效率有严重影响, 脉冲正电子的释放方式决定了直流化后束流的能量分散; 改变释放级信号波形以及释放方式可以得到能量分散小于1eV的准直流化慢正电子束流.     

Transmission of positrons with aβ + energy distribution through thin films

The transmission through Al foils of isotropically implanted positrons from a²²Na ⁺ source has been measured. It is shown that the transmission is reasonably well-described using an exponential profile once backscattering is accounted for, except for thicknesses below approximately 7 mg/cm². Below this thickness, the measured transmission is slightly less than that predicted by the exponential profile. Such a deviation has previously been observed for collimated positrons, suggesting that the implantation profile has no significant dependence on the spatial distribution of the incident positrons. This deviation is critical for the proper interpretation of positron lifetime experiments on thin films using a conventional positron lifetime spectrometer.     

Gas moderation of positrons

A variety of low-energy positron experiments need an improved brilliance of the beam by means of a remoderator. Conventionally, a tungsten foil or single crystal is used as a remoderator in transmission or reflection geometry. We have developed a new remoderation unit which is based on inelastic positron scattering and the drift of positrons in nitrogen gas. In first measurements we succeeded in detecting fully thermalized positrons. High positron losses occurred at the entrance of the gas cell, and therefore the injection of positrons will be improved for next measurements.     

Oxidation and thermal reduction of the Cu(1 0 0) surface as studied using positron annihilation induced Auger electron spectroscopy (PAES)

Changes in the surface of an oxidized Cu(1 0 0) single crystal resulting from vacuum annealing have been investigated using positron annihilation induced Auger electron spectroscopy (PAES). PAES measurements show a large increase in the intensity of the annihilation induced Cu M_2,3VV Auger peak as the sample is subjected to a series of isochronal anneals in vacuum up to annealing temperature 300 °C. The intensity then decreases monotonically as the annealing temperature is increased to ∼600 °C. Experimental probabilities of annihilation of surface-trapped positrons with Cu 3p and O 1s core-level electrons are estimated from the measured intensities of the positron annihilation induced Cu M_2,3VV and O KLL Auger transitions. Experimental PAES results are analyzed by performing calculations of positron surface states and annihilation probabilities of surface-trapped positrons with relevant core electrons taking into account the charge redistribution at the surface, surface reconstructions, and electron-positron correlations effects. The effects of oxygen adsorption on localization of positron surface state wave function and annihilation characteristics are also analyzed. Possible explanation is proposed for the observed behavior of the intensity of positron annihilation induced Cu M_2,3VV and O KLL Auger peaks and probabilities of annihilation of surface-trapped positrons with Cu 3p and O 1s core-level electrons with changes of the annealing temperature.     

BEPCⅡ Positron Source

BEPCⅡ— an upgrade project of the Beijing Electron Positron Collider (BEPC) is a factory type of e^＋e^－ collider. The fundamental requirements for its injector linac are the beam energy of 1.89GeV for on-energy injection and a 40mA positron beam current at the linac end with a low beam emittance of 1.6μm and a low energy spread of ±0.5% so as to guarantee a higher injection rate (≥50mA/min) to the storage ring. Since the positron flux is proportional to the primary electron beam power on the target, we will increase the electron gun current from 4A to 10A by using a new electron gun system and increase the primary electron energy from 120MeV to 240MeV. The positron source itself is an extremely important system for producing more positrons, including a positron converter target chamber, a 12kA flux modulator, the 7m focusing module with DC power supplies and the support. The new positron production linac from the electron gun to the positron source has been installed into the tunnel. In what follows, we will emphasize the positron source design, manufacture and tests.     

Rectifying barrier at GaN/SiC hetero-junction studied with positron annihilation spectroscopy

Positron annihilation spectroscopy on GaN films grown on SiC substrate with MBE are presented. It is shown that the GaN/SiC interface is rectifying towards positrons, such that positrons can only travel from SiC to GaN and not vice versa. Potential steps seen by the positron at the GaN/SiC interface are calculated from experimental values of electron and positron work function. This “rectifying” effect has been successfully mimicked by inserting a thin region of very high electric field in the Variable Energy Positron Fit （VEPF） analysis. The built-in electric field is attributed to different positron affinities, dislocation and/or interface defects at the GaN/SiC interface.     

Photon and positron generation by ultrahigh intensity laser interaction with electron beams

This study investigates the generation of high energy photons and positrons using focused ultrahigh intensity femtosecond laser pulses on a relativistic electron beam with a set of two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. We consider circularly and linearly polarized, single and spatially separated double laser pulses. We model both 500 MeV and 1 GeV electron beams. Higher positron production is obtained using circularly polarized laser pulses. Using double pulses, the focusing effect of the ponderomotive force confines the electrons to a small volume, generating additional energetic photons and positrons. The positron spectral distributions are effectively modified by these variations. When the electron beam energy is doubled, the number of positrons increased, while the cutoff energy remained nearly constant.     

The production oflow energy positrons and positronium

A summary is given of the techniques of positron and positronium production which may be of relevance to the production of antihydrogen atoms at low kinetic energies. Topics covered include positron beams from radioactive isotopes and via pair production at electron accelerators, methods for trapping and accumulating positrons and prospects for the use of slow positrons to create antihydrogen at CERN.