Positron Annihilation in Obsidians

Abstract

Positron lifetime spectra as well as one-dimensional angular correlations of positron annihilation radiation were measured at room temperature for samples of rhyolitic obsidian coming from Iceland, Italy and Armenia. The samples were of different age. One specimen (originating from Iceland) was relatively young, formed in 1980. The others were much older, collected during the 19th century. It was found that the linear dimensions of pores trapping the positronium atoms before their decay as well as the pore concentration in all old obsidians are almost the same independently of the place of their formation. Simultaneously the concentration of the pores in the young sample is about five times lower than in the old specimens. Basing on the result it is suggested to extend the study in order to find out if positron annihilation can be used for the investigation of the age of the volcanic accumulations containing obsidian