Positron Annihilation Studies of the Near-Surface Regions of Niobium before and after Wear Treatment

Abstract

The positron annihilation studies of well-annealed niobium samples after dry sliding or sandblasting are reported. These treatments modify surface and subsurface regions introducing crystalline defects, which are extended beneath the surface of the sample at a depth of about 140 µm for the highest applied load of 50 N. These defects can be identified as dislocations with jogs or vacancies near dislocations. The obtained depth profile of mean positron lifetime reflects the defect depth distribution and exhibits the characteristic plateau near the worn surface, which disappears when lowering of the applied load. A similar depth profile was obtained also for niobium samples after sandblasting. Slow positron beam studies revealed that at the surface of the samples after dry sliding or other treatments some defects that localize positrons are present. Additionally, a large value of positron diffusion length of about 266(33) nm was found for well annealed niobium.