Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES)
Spectroscopic technique which we use to calibrate the coverage (surface particle density) of metal nano-deposites on metal oxide supports or simply for checking the cleanliness of our samples.
The method is simple:
- Making a "hole". The sample is bombarded with high-energy electron. These remove electrons from low-lying inner core shells of the atoms the surface is made of.
- "Filling the hole". An electron from a higher energy level will fill the "hole".
- "Measuring the energy of the Auger electron". The released energy induces another electron to eject. The kinetic energy of that one (Auger electron) provides a chemical fingerprint.