The primary function of AES is the identification of the lighter elements [Beryllium through Krypton], but all elements heavier than Helium do produce Auger electrons and can be investigated. The technique can help to discriminate between two species which are hard to distinguish in XPS (for example Pt and Pd), and AES is an excellent supplement to XPS for accurate elemental identification. For ideal surfaces, the fine structure AES analysis can yield valence state information for a particular element.
This service will provide chemical identification of the lighter elements in a material, especially the surface contaminants. It will also attempt to quantify the relative ratios of surface species, but this is not always possible with heterogeneous materials. The technique of AES can also examine the components in segregated regions on a surface, but those regions must be visible to the naked eye. For accurate AES analysis, the sample surface should be conductive. The final report will contain a labeled AES survey in differential form.
Approximate time for facility time for one sample: 1 day