Multi Element Block of 10 Standards Auger MAC

Auger electron: one of the electrons ejected from an atom as a result of the internal conversion of its own X-ray in the auger effect. Auger effect: a process in which an atom singly ionized by emitting one electron with energy in the X-ray range instead of emitting the usual X-ray photon on recovery undergoes a transition in which a second electron is emitted.

A carefully selected range of elements or compounds will enable the surface analyst to compile a valuable reference library of spectra for those materials of specific interest to his field of study. AES is of particular value in the investigation of the surface chemistry of electronic materials. A set of 33 relevant reference materials is designed for this purpose.

A Faraday Cup, for the accurate measurement of specimen current, is available as an option on all reference blocks.

Multi-element blocks containing up to 50 reference materials can be made to suit the configuration of the most instrument but, the actual number of materials and the shape and size of the reference block is determined by the physical limitations imposed by the specimen holder and chamber. The reference material each has an exposed area about 2 square mm.

Each block of reference material is made from AISI 304 grade austenitic stainless steel, set with elements and compounds of your choice and polished to a 1⁄4 micron diamond finish. All blocks are supplied with certificates of analysis and a map showing the locations of the reference materials.The design of the reference blocks for AES is based upon that used for the production of our already established range of electron probes X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) standard blocks.

For surface analysis in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environments, the design of the AES blocks has three significant differences over the EPMA blocks:

• For EPMA, the reference standards are set into drilled brass blocks. However, for UHV, the brass would outgas, so non-magnetic stainless steel is used for the AES reference blocks.
• There is no coating of electrically conductive carbon on the AES blocks. For EPMA, this coating is needed to neutralize any electron beam induced charge.
• EPMA standards are mounted using epoxy resin, which would rapidly outgas under UHV conditions. The AES reference blocks are set with Wood’s Fusible Metal. This is an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin, and cadmium.

Wood’s Metal, being electrically conductive, also serves as an electrical connection between the reference material and the stainless steel block thereby dissipating any electrical charge. However, some of the reference materials are electrical insulators, so there must be charge neutralized using a high specimen tilt angle or a lower primary beam accelerating potential.

The results of using Wood's Fusible Metal as a mounting compound as follows:

• Out gassing: The chamber base pressure immediately prior to block admission was 6.4x10-10 bar. After 24 hours, the chamber pressure was 8.0x10-10 bar. This is the pressure that would be expected
  for a typical sample. Thus, the Wood's Metal is acceptable as a mounting compound for the blocks of reference materials.
• Electron Beam Damage: No appreciable electron beam induced damage of the Wood's Metal was noted despite prolonged exposure to a beam of 10kV and 0.3 micro Amps.
• Contamination: After the removal of Atmospheric contamination from the reference materials using a rastered argon ion gun, no evidence of cross-contamination by the Wood's Metal was found above a
  detection limit of 1 atomic weight %.

WARNING: The block of reference materials should not be baked prior to analysis.Wood's Metal melts at about 70°C and also, because of its high vapor pressure, cadmium vapor would be liberated into the
specimen chamber.