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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 145 records · Page 8
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NASA NTRS1981

HEAO 3 measurements of the atmospheric positron annihilation line

The atmospheric positron annihilation line at 511 keV was the first gamma-ray line observed which originates from processes of astrophysical importance. Measurements of the properties of a positron annihilation line make it possible to determine many of the physical conditions present at the source of emission. An investigation was conducted of the 511-keV line measured with the HEAO C-1 experiment. The HEAO C-1 experiment consisted of a cluster of four, large, high-purity germanium detectors surrounded by an active anticoincidence CsI shield. A strong atmospheric line was measured at 511.07 + or - 0.10 keV. The net atmospheric emission has been accurately determined as a function of geomagnetic latitude and varies from 0.01 photons/sq cm-sec-sr near the magnetic equator to 0.035 photons/sq cm-sec-sr at a latitude of 55 deg.

Mahoney, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Moisture dependence of positron annihilation rates in molecular substances

Positron annihilation rates have been studied in polymers and graphite-polymer composites as a function of their moisture content. The annihilation rates have been found to increase linearly with increasing moisture content in epoxies and polyamides, whereas no definite trends have been observed in polyimides. These experimental results have been used as the basis for the calculation of moisture content of several polymeric test specimens. For example, the directly measured moisture content of a Kevlar specimen was 45.5 + or - 5.0% of saturation value, whereas the moisture content on the basis of the decrease in positron lifetime was calculated to be 46.5 + or - 3.5%. Similarly, the directly measured moisture content of a graphite-epoxy composite (55 v/o fiber) was 19.2 + or - 0.6% of saturation value as opposed to a calculated value of 16.0 + or - 5.0%.

Singh, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

On the method of positron lifetime measurement

A fast-slow coincidence system was constructed for the measurement of positron lifetimes in material. The time resolution of this system was 270 ps for the (60)Co gamma rays. Positron lifetime spectra for 14 kinds of alkali halides were measured with this system. Two lifetime components and their intensities were derived from analyses of the lifetime spectra.

Nishiyama, F.↗
NASA NTRS1982

On the origin of the positron annihilation radiation from the direction of the galactic center

Physical constraints on the possible configuration of the positron annihilation region observed at the galactic center with gamma ray instrumentation focused on 511 keV emission are discussed. The line width is less than 2.5 keV, implying that the positrons annihilate in a gas that features some ionization. The line width also limits velocities to less than 700 km/sec, while the line center indicated a bulk velocity along the line of sight of between -90 to 200 km/sec. Data from emissions less than 511 keV suggest a production of 511 keV photons/positron ratio of 0.65 to account for the continuum emission detected. The annihilation region requires a temperature of at least 50,000 K and an ionization fraction of at least 10 percent, a density near 100,000 H/cu cm, and a diameter less than 10 to the 18th cm. Relativitistic considerations support pair production around an accreting black hole or the collision of collimated photon beams as possible sources of the emissions.

Lingenfelter, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Positron-electron annihilation radiation from the Galactic Center

Evidence and arguments are presented supporting the theory that the 0.511 MeV line observed from the Galactic Center stems from photon-photon pair production near a black hole with a mass not greater than approximately 500 solar masses. Observations are reviewed and the subsequent implications on the annihilation site and the positron source are discussed. Because of the variations and line width of the e(+) - e(-) annihilation radiation from the Galactic Center, positrons must essentially be produced by a single source and annihilate in an ambient gas of density greater than 10 to the 5th/cu cm, an ionization fraction greater than 10 percent, a temperature less than 5 x 10 to the 4th K, and be confined to a region of size less than 10 to the 18th cm. Such conditions may exist in warm clouds and other IR sources within the central parsec of the Galaxy.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Electrons and positrons from expanding supernova envelopes in dense clouds

If antiprotons in cosmic rays are produced as secondary particles in sources, it is expected that positrons are also created by the same process. The interstellar spectra of positrons and electrons are calculated by taking into account such sources. Spectra are then compared with observations.

Stephens, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Positron annihilation radiation from solar flares

Positron-annihilation radiation has been observed from the June 21, 1980 and June 3, 1982 flares by the gamma-ray spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. The observed 0.511-MeV line fluences from the flares were 14.6 + or - 3.3 gamma/sq cm and 103 + or - 8 gamma/sq cm, respectively. Measurement of the line width establishes an upper limit to the temperature in the annihilation region of 3 x 10 to the 6th K. The time dependence of the 0.511-MeV line during the 1980 flare is consistent with the calculations of Ramaty et al. (1983) for positrons created in the decay of radioactive nuclei. The time dependence of the 0.511-MeV line for the 1982 flare is more complex and requires more detailed study.

Share, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Positron production by a hot, young pulsar

The paper considers a way of positron production in pulsars: pair production from electron-photon collisions. It is shown that this process must be the dominant one for a young pulsar when its surface temperature is around 10-million K. This model is applied to the observed positron flux coming from the Galactic Center and it is shown that a pulsar with parameters close to those of the Crab at birth can explain, in principle, the flux.

Brecher, K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Positron annihilation gamma rays from novae

The potential for observing annihilation gamma rays from novae is investigated. These gamma rays, a unique signature of the thermonuclear runaway models of novae, would result from the annihilation of positrons emitted by beta(+)-unstable nuclei produced near the peak of the runaway and carried by rapid convection to the surface of the nova envelope. Simple models, which are extensions of detailed published models, of the expansion of the nova atmospheres are evolved. These models serve as input into investigations of the fate of nearby Galactic fast novae could yield detectable fluxes of electron-positron annihilation gamma rays produced by the decay of N-13 and F-18. Although nuclear gamma-ray lines are produced by other nuclei, it is unlikely that the fluxes at typical nova distances would be detectable to present and near-future instruments.

Leising, Mark D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Observation of cosmic ray positrons in the region from 5 to 50 GeV

The absolute flux of cosmic ray positrons has been measured using a balloon-borne magnet-spectrometer. Based on 193 positrons observed from 3.57 GV/c to 50 GV/c rigidity at the payload, the integral flux about 5 GeV kinetic energy at the top of the atmosphere is found to be (0.33 + or - .07)e(+)/m-sq-str-s. At the top of the atmosphere the effective energy interval for the observation is 4.5 to 64 GeV.

Golden, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Applications of positron annihilation spectroscopy in materials research

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy (PAS) has emerged as a powerful technique for research in condensed matter. It has been used extensively in the study of metals, ionic crystals, glasses and polymers. The present review concentrates on applications of positron lifetime measurements for elucidation of the physicochemical structure of polymers.

Singh, Jag J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Analysis of positron lifetime spectra in polymers

A new procedure for analyzing multicomponent positron lifetime spectra in polymers was developed. It requires initial estimates of the lifetimes and the intensities of various components, which are readily obtainable by a standard spectrum stripping process. These initial estimates, after convolution with the timing system resolution function, are then used as the inputs for a nonlinear least squares analysis to compute the estimates that conform to a global error minimization criterion. The convolution integral uses the full experimental resolution function, in contrast to the previous studies where analytical approximations of it were utilized. These concepts were incorporated into a generalized Computer Program for Analyzing Positron Lifetime Spectra (PAPLS) in polymers. Its validity was tested using several artificially generated data sets. These data sets were also analyzed using the widely used POSITRONFIT program. In almost all cases, the PAPLS program gives closer fit to the input values. The new procedure was applied to the analysis of several lifetime spectra measured in metal ion containing Epon-828 samples. The results are described.

Singh, Jag J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Direct positron annihilation and positronium formation in thermal plasmas

In the present evaluation of the rate of direct positron annihilation with electrons in the nonrelativistic limit, general analytic expressions are given for the radiative recombination of positrons to form positronium. Formulae are derived for the radiative capture to bound states of atomic hydrogen, and the connection between the two problems is demonstrated. Annihilation from excited states of positronium is considered, and it is estimated that 90 percent of the annihilations occur from the ground 1s state for both ortho and para positronium following radiative capture and cascade. A convenient form is given for the photodissociation cross section of positronium.

Gould, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Inelastic scattering of positrons with sodium

The two potential approach is used to study the resonant 3s-3p excitation of sodium atom by positrons of energy 40 and 54.4eV. The angular variation of coherence and correlation parameters is presented. Comparison with the corresponding parameters in electron scattering is given to see the role of various interaction potentials in electron and positron scattering.

Purohit, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Positron collisions with alkali-metal atoms

The total cross sections for positron and electron collisions with potassium, sodium, lithium and rubidium are calculated, employing the modified Glauber approximation. The Modified Glauber cross sections for positron collision with potassium and sodium at low intermediate energies are found to agree reasonably well with existing experimental data.

Gien, T. T.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Total cross sections for positrons scattered elastically from helium based on new measurements of total ionization cross sections

An improved technique is presented for employing the 2.3m spectrometer to measure total ionization cross sections, Q sub ion, for positrons incident on He. The new ionization cross section agree with the values reported earlier. Estimates are also presented of total elastic scattering cross section, Q sub el, obtained by subtracting from total scattering cross sections, Q sub tot, reported in the literature, the Q sub ion and Q sub Ps (total positronium formation cross sections) and total excitation cross sections, Q sub ex, published by another researcher. The Q sub ion and Q sub el measured with the 3m high resolution time-of-flight spectrometer for 54.9eV positrons are in accord with the results from the 2.3m spectrometer. The ionization cross sections are in fair agreement with theory tending for the most part to be higher, especially at 76.3 and 88.5eV. The elastic cross section agree quite well with theory to the vicinity of 50eV, but at 60eV and above the experimental elastic cross sections climb to and remain at about 0.30 pi a sub o sq while the theoretical values steadily decrease.

Diana, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ionisation of atomic hydrogen by positron impact

With the crossed beam apparatus the relative impact-ionization cross section of atomic hydrogen by positron impact was measured. A layout of the scattering region is given. The first measurements on the ionization of atomic hydrogen by positron impact are also given.

Spicher, Gottfried↗
NASA NTRS1990

Resonances in low-energy positron-alkali scattering

Close-coupling calculations were performed with up to five target states at energies in the excitation threshold region for positron scattering from Li, Na and K. Resonances were discovered in the L = 0, 1 and 2 channels in the vicinity of the atomic excitation thresholds. The widths of these resonances vary between 0.2 and 130 MeV. Evidence was found for the existence of positron-alkali bound states in all cases.

Horbatsch, M.↗