Reflection High-Energy Positron Diffraction for Surface Analysis: Fundamentals

Abstract

When total reflection occurs for fast positrons at crystal surfaces, the positron beam penetrates less than 0.1nm into the crystal. Therefore, using total reflection positron diffraction we can measure surface structures and properties of the topmost crystal surfaces without bulk effects. Using this method, surface structures, adsorbed structures and surface vibration amplitudes are found for crystal surfaces. The fundamental properties of fast positron beams are described in this lecture.