Scanning Auger spectroscopy

One disadvantage of AES - and of scanning AES in particular - is that the intense electron beam easily causes damage to sensitive materials such as polymers, insulators, and adsorbate layers. The charging of electrically insulating samples may also present problems in this respect. 

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Each type of mass spectrometer has its associated advantages and disadvantages. Quadrupole-based systems offer a fairly simple ion optics design that provides a certain degree of flexibility with respect to instrument configuration. For example, quadrupole mass filters are often found in hybrid systems, that is, coupled with another surface analytical method, such as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis or scanning Auger spectroscopy. 

As the chemical reactivity of MoS2 is associated with edges, we would expect this Co-Mo-S phase to be found at or near the edges. Scanning Auger spectroscopy and electron microscopy provide evidence that this is indeed the case. 

The applicability of scanning Auger spectroscopy to the analysis of carbonate mineral surface reactions was demonstrated by Mucci and Morse (1985), who carried out an investigation of Mg2+ adsorption on calcite, aragonite, magnesite, and dolomite surfaces from synthetic seawater at two saturation states. Results are summarized in Table 2.5. 

Characterization thus involves analytical electron microscopy, ordinary microprobe analysis or other techniques for localizing elements or chemical compounds (Scanning Auger Spectroscopy, Raman Microprobe, Laser Microprobe Mass Spectrometry). It also requires, in most cases, some physical separation of the catalyst for separate analysis (e.g., near surface parts and center of pellets, by peeling or progressive abrasion pellets present at various heights in the catalyst bed, etc.). 

Methods for determining surface cleanliness are too involved for online evaluation, so that simple tests such as water break are employed. Recently, Buser reported a rapid method based on surface tension (15). Evaporative rate analysis (16) has also been used to determine surface cleanliness as well as more sophisticated methods employing scanning auger spectroscopy (17. 18). 

Microstructural/chemical analysis of joined and control MOR bars for both Sic and SijN was initiated to try to understand differences in mechanical behavior between joined and control samples. Due to limited funds, however, this study has not included sophisticated techniques such as Scanning Auger Spectroscopy and TEM/STEM. The results of this study are described below. 

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