Positron annihilation and phase transformations in alloys

Following a brief introduction a general review of the basic physics and techniques of the positron method is presented. The practical aspects of the particular methods used are discussed and results concerning the temperature dependence of various annihilation parameters in In-Pb, Mg-Cd and Pb-Sn alloys are presented. The data show evidence of pronounced effects at solid-solid phase boundaries and of variations in apparent vacancy formation energy both within particular phases and at their boundaries. (author)