TDPAC measurements in textured hcp samples

Time differential perturbed angular correlation measurements done on the 482 keV level of¹⁸¹Ta probe nuclei in well annealed reference foil samples ofα-ZrHf,α-TiHf andα-Hf indicate that all probe nuclei are defect free, substitutional and experience quadrupole frequencies characteristic of these matrices. But mostly the ratio of the intensities of the harmonic components of the quadrupole frequency is never in 3:2:1, which is understood to be due to the selective orientation of microcrystallites brought out by the pre thermo-mechanical treatments on the sample. This paper illustrates as to how texturing in general could cause ambiguities in the measurements of the hyperfine interaction parameters of probe nuclei particularly in hcp foil samples with or without the association of any defects and the ways to delineate the effect of texturing.     

Helium bubbles in neutron-irradiated copper-boron studied by positron annihilation

The influence of helium, introduced by the ¹⁰B(n, α)⁷Li reaction, on the evolution of defect structure in copper containing a few hundred ppm boron has been studied by detailed positron lifetime and two-photon angular correlation measurements, supplemented by TEM studies. In the as-irradiated state of Cu-B, two lifetime components have been resolved. The shorter lifetime, τ₁, = 167 ps of 97% intensity, has been understood as due to positron trapping at small helium-vacancy complexes, while the longer lifetime τ₂ = 450 ps of 3% intensity is explained as due to helium-free voids. Marked changes in the annihilation characteristics observed at 670 K are interpreted in terms of the nucleation of microbubbles, controlled by thermally activated helium migration to vacancy traps. Corroborative evidence for the onset of helium clustering is obtained from the change in the average size of positron traps as deduced from the smearing of the measured angular correlation spectra. Helium bubbles and helium-free voids coexisting in the system have been distinguished by a three-component analysis of the lifetime spectra. Bubbles are found to be stable beyond the temperature of dissociation of voids. The size and concentration of bubbles, determined independently by TEM measurements, are in accordance with the positron annihilation results in the growth stage. The observed positron lifetime at higher annealing temperatures has been analysed by relating the annihilation rate to helium atom density and helium pressures in bubbles evaluated. These pressures are in satisfactory agreement with the estimates of equilibrium pressures, leading to the conclusion that bubble relaxation occurs by the mechanism of thermal vacancy condensation.     

Microstructure characterization of porous silicon as studied by positron annihilation measurements at low temperatures and high vacuum

Atomic scale properties of thin porous silicon (PSi) layers, characterized by the formation of positronium, are investigated using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy in the temperature range 20-300 K under 10⁻⁷ Torr vacuum. The longest orthopositronium as well as the shortest parapositronium components are found to have quite low intensities in the thin layer at room temperature. It is also found that at temperatures ≤240 K, these two components do not show up in the spectrum. The reason for this absence of the longest lifetime component is suggested.     

Behavior of structure defects and hydrogen in neutron-irradiated stainless steels studied by positron annihilation method

Measurements of angular distributions of annihilation photons are applied to investigating structural defects and hydrogen behavior in annealed, plastically deformed, and irradiated stainless steels. It is determined that the whole cycle of investigations performed by positron diagnostics helped in tracing the formation and evolution of the defect structure and hydrogen behavior in different kinds of steels being subjected to complex physical–mechanical influences such as plastic deformation, hydrogenation and irradiation by fission neutrons. The high sensitivity of the electron–positron annihilation method allowed understanding even of details of the changes of the crystalline structure of multi-component materials.     

Determination of the timing properties of a pulsed positron lifetime beam by the application of an electron gun and a fast microchannel plate

We show that the timing properties of a pulsed low-energy positron lifetime beam can be conveniently tested by an electron beam. We apply this method to study the time resolution of the beam and electron scattering in flat and ‘sawtooth’ shaped choppers. The results show that (i) time resolution of 160 ps is obtained, (ii) the scattering of the electrons and the secondary electron yield of the flat chopper make the time resolution worse and background poor, and (iii) both these problems can be solved by using a ‘sawtooth’ shaped chopper. We also compare these results to beam simulations.     

Comparison of atmospheric electric field measurements by a pole mounted fieldmeter and by a horizontal wire antenna

The studies reported show that measurements of atmospheric electric fields by pole mounted electrostatic fieldmeters can match measurements by a horizontal antenna wire. Some differences were experienced early in the tests that cannot yet be explained. The differences are tentatively attributed to tribocharging actions during initial set up of the antenna system and by wind blown airborne particulates at the antenna wire. Pole mounted fieldmeters provide opportunity for long term unattended measurements in quite adverse weather conditions with continuous checking of operational health against debris, spider's webs, etc.