The quenching of gold under high helium pressures: Effect of the dissolution of the rare gas on the determination of the formation volume of vacancies

Gold specimens have been quenched under high helium pressures from initial temperatures of 700 and 850 degrees C. As far as the 850 degrees C quenches are concerned, a significant penetration of helium into the metal was detected. This effect was shown to influence the determination of the formation volume. However, an experimental procedure was found which avoided disturbance of the measurement by the gas. The values measured at 700 and 850 degrees C then converge satisfactorily.