Papers by Author: Jerzy Kansy

Abstract: The positron irradiation effect in high density polyethylene at ambient temperature is studied by positron annihilation lifetime method. The positron spectra are analyzed with a model which takes into account positron trapping and so called delayed formation of positronium (DFP). A good relationship is noticed between the rate of positron trapping and the rate of DFP.

Abstract: The defect structure of Fe28Al samples is examined with the Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy. The studies are carried out for samples in as-cast state and after heat treatments: annealing for 24 hours at 900°C (or 1050°C) and either slow cooling with furnace or quenching to oil. The PALS spectra are analyzed using two-state trapping model. Only one type of defects is detected. The positron lifetime in these defects (V) suggests that they are quenched-in Fe-monovacancies (VFe). The vacancy concentration strongly depends on the rate of cooling. Besides, V also depends slightly on the rate of cooling of the material. This fact suggests, according to the predictions of latest theoretical calculations, that V is sensitive to the atomic configuration in the nearest neighborhood of VFe, which give hope to estimate the degree of atomic ordering in alloys by the PALS technique.

Abstract: In this work, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) are used in a study of point defect formation in intermetallic phases of the B2 structure of the Fe-Al system as a function of Al concentration. The results are compared with the concentrations of point defect determined from positron annihilation data. In the Mössbauer effect, two types of samples are investigated: Fe-Al alloys with few additives obtained by induction melting and Al-rich metallic powders produced by the self-decomposition method and intensive grinding of high energy in the electro-magneto-mechanical mill. The work presents the values of the 57Fe isomer shift and quadruple splitting for the components describing the point defect in the local environment of a Mössbauer nuclide. The concentration of the Fe vacancies and Fe atoms substituting Al (Fe-AS) are determined. The results show that an increase in Al content causes an increase in vacancy and Fe-AS concentration.

Abstract: A new method of analysis of PALS spectra of porous materials is proposed. The model considers both the thermalization process of positronium inside the pores and the pore size distribution. The new model is fitted to spectra of mesoporous silica MCM-41 and MSF. The resulting parameters are compared with parameters obtained from fitting the “conventional” models, i.e. a sum of exponential components with discrete or/and distributed lifetimes.

Abstract: The dielectric breakdown strengths of two series of sintered alumina samples of low and high impurity content (where Si is the dominant element with, respectively, 90 and 1500 ppm) and impurity level (25 ppm of Si and 12 ppm of Ti) are compared with positron lifetime measurements. The dielectric breakdown strength of sintered alumina is found higher than that of single crystal. This improvement is stronger when silicon is the only major foreign element. If, in addition to SiO2, MgO and CaO are present in substantial amounts, the improvement is lessened. This is attributed to the enhanced bulk solubility of Si. These results are discussed by calling for the potential traps for positrons and electrons that are located at grain boundaries. It is deduced that the improvement of the dielectric breakdown strength stems from the consequences of Si segregation at grain boundaries via electron trapping in shallow traps, which are likely the x '' Al • Al ) V : (3Si clusters.