Effect of magnetic field on positron lifetimes of Fe, Co and Ni

Li, H.; Maekawa, Masaki; Kawasuso, Atsuo; Tanimura, Naoki*

Positron lifetime spectra of Fe, Co and Ni were measured under magnetic field using a Na source. Very small but distinguishable difference of positron lifetime upon magnetic field reversal was observed suggesting the existence of two bulk lifetimes associated with majority and minority spin electrons. Using two spin-dependent Fe bulk lifetimes, the difference Doppler broadening of annihilation radiation spectra between majority and minority spin electrons were also examined. Agreement between experiment and theory indicates that spin-polarized positron annihilation spectroscopy may have potential in investigation of spin-aligned electron momentum distribution.