Papers by Keyword: Positron Annihilation

Abstract: The CDB-spectrometer at NEPOMUC enables spatially resolved Doppler Broadening Spectroscopy of the electron-positron annihilation line with a lateral resolution of up to 200~$\mu$m (FWHM). We have applied this technique for studying single particles of silica gel dependent on loading with an altering amount of the ionic liquid [C2MIM][NTf2]. Our results reveal a strong correlation between the observables of DBS and the loading factor which presumably arises from a smaller inner surface of voids in loaded silica gel.

Abstract: The Zr-Cu-Al bulk amorphous (BA) alloys, which have no long-range ordered structure, possess various properties such as high strength and toughness with compositional dependence. In the present study, in order to estimate the natures of local structure change and relaxation behavior of hyper-eutectic BA alloys during annealing, positron annihilation measurements and density measurement have been performed for hyper-eutectic Zr-Cu-Al BA alloys with annealing. The enthalpy relaxation and structural relaxation was also measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement. These results show that the relaxation process of free volume containing in hyper-eutectic BA alloys is different from that in hypo-eutectic alloys.

Abstract: The aim of this work was investigation of hydrogen interaction with defects in Ti. Well-annealed Ti samples were loaded with hydrogen either electrochemically or using H₂ gas phase. The hydrogen content and the phase composition of hydrogen loaded samples was determined by thermogravimetric analysis and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) respectively. Positron lifetime (LT) spectroscopy was employed for investigation of defects created by hydrogen loading. High-temperature H₂ gas loading led to complete transformation of the whole sample into δ-TiH₂ while low-temperature H₂ gas loading and the electrochemical loading resulted in a non-uniform structure with most of the hydrogen absorbed in a sub-surface layer. All hydrogen-loaded samples exhibit positron lifetime component of ≈ 170 ps corresponding to positrons trapped at dislocations. Vacancy clusters were observed in the electrochemically loaded sample and the H₂ gas phase loaded sample at low temperature.

Abstract: Positron lifetimes and momentum distributions of annihilating electron-positron pairs have been calculated for vacancies in ZnSb and Zn₄Sb₃. The calculated positron lifetimes for bulk ZnSb and Zn₄Sb₃ are 203 ps and 208 ps, and for V_Zn in ZnSb and Zn₄Sb₃ are 249 ps and 237 ps respectively. The calculated momentum distribution results indicate the V_Zn in both ZnSb and Zn₄Sb₃ has less characterization from elemental Zn. Using coincidence Doppler broadening spectra combined with lifetime measurements can reveal the vacancy structure in ZnSb and Zn₄Sb₃.

Abstract: To specify the effects of modulating mechanism of Gd substitution on the dielectric properties for Ca_1-xGd_xCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ system, the XRD, SEM and positron positron annihilation technique have been implemented. The results display that both grain size and vacancy-type defect concentration play important roles in controlling the dielectric properties of CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂. The dielectric properties are improved by adding an appropriate amount of Gd additives (x=0.01) but weakened by higher Gd doping content since this is closely related to the grain size and concentration of vacancy-type defect in the samples.

Abstract: Open volume defects created by 1 MeV Fe⁺ implantation up to a damage of 15 displacements per atom into Fe14wt%Cr and into oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Fe14wt%Cr were investigated by positron annihilation spectroscopy, especially single Doppler broadening (DBS) and coincidence Doppler broadening spectroscopies (cDBS). The influence of W and Ti alloying elements on the evolution of defects during ion implantation were probed in addition. Whereas no effect of the W and Ti alloying constituents on the line-shape parameters S and W could be detected both before and after ion implantation, fine dispersed Y₂O₃ particles showed important changes in the structural properties compared to pure FeCr steel, which could be detected by DBS and cDBS. The distribution of the electron momenta in implanted ODS Fe14Cr, obtained with cDBS, shows that oxide particles form obstacles for expanded vacancy mobility and that the vacancies are localized around the oxide particles.

Abstract: The microstructure of He⁺-irradiation induced defects in tungsten was studied as functions of annealing temperature by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Doppler broadening positron annihilation spectroscopy (DB-PAS). The results show that the S parameter become higher after helium implanted in tungsten. When the annealing temperature increases to 923 K, plenty of large size of holes and new types of defects could be found in this sample.

Abstract: CDBTools is a lightweight and easy to use application designed to provide you with an analysis tool for coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) of the positron annihilation energy spectrum files. This application enables you to analyze the CDB and ratio curves, plots as well as graphs representing the evolution of the orbital electron momentum spectrum. The CDB extraction is provided by selectable filters applied at the diagonal line of the input matrix. To achieve CDB ratio curves with minimal error caused by 511keV peak shift, spectrum curves are recalculated by penalized regression spline.

Abstract: The porous structure of polymer-silica composites, based on three polymer templates, which differ in a porosity and hydrophobicity, was examined using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Additionally, the investigation of silicas obtained after removal of polymers during calcination of composite materials, was performed. In composites based on hydrophobic polymers, silica condensates only in larger free volumes, while SiO₂ deeply penetrates spaces between polymer chains, when the template is polar. Moreover, the structure of the silica gel, obtained after polymer removal, depends on chemical character of the template, rather than its porosity.

Abstract: The oxide dispersed strengthened (ODS) ferritic-martensitic steel was irradiated by 100MeV iron ion whose energy was degraded by using a Ta foil of 4 μm thick, 100 keV Hydrogen and 200 keV Helium at 480, 515, 550 and 580 °C. The irradiation fluences were 1×10¹⁶, 1.1×10¹⁵ and 6.8×10¹³/cm², respectively for Fe, H and He. The techniques of positron annihilation lifetime and Doppler broadening of slow positron beam were utilized to examine the produced radiation damage. At 550 °C the maximal positron annihilation lifetime and S parameter of Doppler broadening were observed, implyin g tha t 550 °C is the pea k temperature of swelling. The S parameter and annihilation lifetime of the sample irradiated at 515 °C by the single Fe ion beam were smaller compared to the triple beam irradiation at the same temperature, implying that the triple beam irradiation caused more severe damage than the single beam irradiation.