1.1 This practice describes methods for determining the specimen area contributing to the detected signal in Auger electron spectrometers and some types of X-ray photoelectron spectrometers (spectrometer analysis area) when this area is defined by the electron collection lens and aperture system of the electron energy analyzer. The practice is applicable only to those X-ray photoelectron spectrometers in which the specimen area excited by the incident X-ray beam is larger than the specimen area viewed by the analyzer, in which the photoelectrons travel in a field-free region from the specimen to the analyzer entrance. Some of the methods described here require an auxiliary electron gun mounted to produce an electron beam of variable energy on the specimen (“electron-gun method”). Other experiments require a sample with a sharp edge, such as a wafer covered with a uniform clean layer (for example, gold (Au) or silver (Ag)) and cleaved to obtain a long side (“sharp-edge method”).

1.2 This practice is recommended as a useful means for determining the specimen area viewed by the analyzer for different conditions of spectrometer operation, for verifying adequate specimen and beam alignment, and for characterizing the imaging properties of the electron energy analyzer.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.