The limits of application of variable-energy slow positron beams for investigating TiN hard coatings prepared by PVD

Samples of TIN hard coatings prepared by physical vapour deposition (PVD) w ere investigated by means of depth-sensitive positron annihilation spectros copy. The results indicate that the samples are at the limits of the applic ability of this method presumably due to the high defect concentration. Our findings also show that, though the samples are thoroughly characterized b y other independent methods, they might not be sufficient to explain all as pects of positron-solid interactions in these cases.