Positron lifetime measurements by proton capture

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1863772· OSTI ID:20644131

Selim, F A; Wells, D P; Harmon, J F ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho 83209 (United States)

A positron lifetime spectroscopy (PLS) technique was developed using coincident {gamma} rays induced by proton capture. Proton capture in some light elements induce coincident MeV {gamma} rays, allowing positron lifetime to be measured. One {gamma} quantum provides a start signal for the positron lifetime spectrometer, whereas the other {gamma} quantum bombards the sample under investigation, generating a positron inside it through pair production. The stop signal is obtained from the detection of one of the two 511 keV photons emitted from positron annihilation with the sample electrons. This new technique can extend PLS, which is a powerful tool to identify the size and concentration of defects, to thick materials and a broad range of applications. It also eliminates the source contribution from the measured spectra, which may lead to the identification of more defect types in a sample.

• OSTI ID: 20644131
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 76; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ANNIHILATION
CAPTURE
DEFECTS
GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
PAIR PRODUCTION
PARTICLE BEAMS
POLYMERS
POSITRONS
PROTONS
SPECTROMETERS