AbstractThis contribution summarizes achievements in instrumentation for positron lifetime measurements with emphasis on digital spectrometric systems. A significant part of the data presented are based on a long‐term exploitation of a conventional positron lifetime spectrometer developed at Charles University in early 90s, on bench‐mark testing measurements with this spectrometer working temporarily in conjunction with a pair of 8‐bit, 4 GS/s digitizers and on analogous measurements with a recently assembled digital positron lifetime spectrometer. In addition, results from testing experiments with microchannel plate photomultipliers are briefly reported. Further development of positron lifetime technique is discussed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)