AES analysis of sodium in a corroded bioglass using a low-temperature technique

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Abstract
Measurements have been made of sodium compositional profiles at a glass surface using Auger electron spectroscopy. It has been found that stable sodium signals may be obtained by lowering the temperature of the glass to 80 °K and by keeping the exciting electron beam current to less than 1 μA. Use of a low‐energy electron flood gun had little effect on the AES measurement but was found to be valuable in reducing charging during ion bombardment of the low‐temperature substrate. Observations on a glass designed for biological implant applications subjected to a simulated biological environment exposure showed that a region leached of alkali ions formed, and a Na‐, Ca‐, P‐rich film built up on the surface.