Distinction between adsorbed monolayers and thicker layers in Auger electron spectroscopy

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Abstract
Techniques are investigated for studying the distribution of impurity species away from grain boundary fracture surfaces. The first technique involves the measurement of the relative intensities of the various Auger electrons of the impurity species. A comparison of these intensities with those of the pure bulk element and a knowledge of the relevant Auger electron ranges then permits the determination of the impurity species distribution, over a zone up to five atom layers, from the grain boundary. The other two techniques involve the measurement of the intensity of the plasma loss of the impurity species' Auger electrons. These two techniques permit a distinction between an adsorbed monolayer and precipitates or three dimensional nuclei.