Auger electron emission from Be surfaces

Abstract

Auger spectra have been obtained from Be surfaces prepared under U.H.V. conditions, by thermal cleaning, evaporation and by argon ion bombardment. The resulting Auger spectra from these variously prepared surfaces exhibit different peaks in the dN(E)/dE versus E spectrum which relate to modifications in the band structure. No evidence is found that the difference in the spectra is due to surface impurities. Oxidation effects on the clean Auger spectrum are in agreement with those obtained by others. The temperature variation in the Auger spectrum from clean Be surfaces is discussed in relation to previously reported X-ray investigations.