Migration of 210Po in lead to the surface

Abstract

Measurements and analysis of the kinetics of the phenomenon of migration of polonium to the surface in lead are presented. Polonium atoms diffuse to surface because their thermodynamic potential on surface is lower than inside the lead of the raw production. The effect is very weak for the case of thermal diffusion at room temperature, but very strong when close-to-surface layer is plastically deformed for instance by cutting of the surface. After several vacuum-remelting processes all the effect decrease.