We present a first-principles approach for calculating the positron lifetime in metals. Convenient expressions are provided for the electron-positron correlation function and the enhancement factor. Calculations on a wide range of elemental metals and some monovacancies are found to be in excellent agreement with experiment. The approximations inherent in this approach and the treatment of the core-electron contribution are discussed.

• Received 29 November 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.43.13892