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Abstract Particle beams focused to micrometer-sized spots play a crucial role in forefront research using low-energy positrons. Their expedient and wide application, however, requires highly-resolved, fast beam diagnostics. We have developed two different methods to modify a commercial imaging sensor to make it sensitive to low-energy positrons. The first method consists in removing the micro-lens array and Bayer filter from the sensor surface and depositing a phosphor layer in their place. This procedure results in a detector capable of imaging positron beams with energies down to a few tens of eV, or an intensity as low as $${35}\,{\hbox {e}^+/\hbox {s/mm}^{2}}$$ 35 e + / s/mm 2 when the beam energy exceeds 10 $${\hbox {keV}}$$ keV . The second approach omits the phosphor deposition; with the resulting device we succeeded in detecting single positrons with energies upwards of $${6}\,{\hbox {keV}}$$ 6 keV and efficiency up to 93%. The achieved spatial resolution of 0.97 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ μ m is unprecedented for real-time positron detectors.

The morphology of thin film composite (TFC) membranes used in reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) water treatment was explored with small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and positron-annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The combination of both methods allowed the characterization of the bulk porous structure from a few Å to µm in radius. PALS shows pores of ~4.5 Å average radius in a surface layer of about 4 μm thickness, which become ~40% smaller at the free surface of the membranes. This observation may correlate with the glass state of the involved polymer. Pores of similar size appear in SANS as closely packed pores of ~6 Å radius distributed with an average distance of ~30 Å. The main effort of SANS was the characterization of the morphology of the porous polysulfone support layer as well as the fibers of the nonwoven fabric layer. Contrast variation using the media H2O/D2O and supercritical CO2 and CD4 identified the polymers of the support layers as well as internal heterogeneities.

NEPOMUC, operated by the Technische Universität München and the Universität der Bundeswehr München, provides a high-intensity low-energy positron beam for applications in solid state and surface physics as well as for fundamental research in nuclear and atomic physics. The intensity amounts to > 109 moderated positrons per second at a beam energy of E = 1 keV.

The CDBS, operated by the Technische Universität München, located at NEPOMUC, allows the detection of open volume defects and their chemical surrounding. Defect distributions can be imaged in 3D by lateral scanning with the energy variable positron beam.

Positron annihilation induced Auger electron spectroscopy (PAES) is a newly developed application for surface studies with high elemental selectivity and exceptional surface sensitivity. The instrument is operated by the Technische Universität München and is located at NEPOMUC.

A friction stir welded (FSW) Al alloy sample was investigated by Doppler broadening spectroscopy (DBS) of the positron annihilation line. The spatially resolved defect distribution showed that the material in the joint zone becomes completely annealed during the welding process at the shoulder of the FSW tool, whereas at the tip, annealing is prevailed by the deterioration of the material due to the tool movement. This might be responsible for the increased probability of cracking in the heat affected zone of friction stir welds. Examination of a material pairing of steel S235 and the Al alloy Silafont36 by coincident Doppler broadening spectroscopy (CDBS) indicates the formation of annealed steel clusters in the Al alloy component of the sample. The clear visibility of Fe in the CDB spectra is explained by the very efficient trapping at the interface between steel cluster and bulk.