Imaging Surface Atomic Structure by Means of Auger Electrons

Measurements of the complete angular distribution of Auger electrons emitted from well-defined platinum[111] single-crystal surfaces have led to the discovery that the distributions are composed of "silhouettes" of surface atoms "back lit" by emission from atoms deeper in the sol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1990-01, Vol.247 (4939), p.182-188
Main Authors: Frank, Douglas G., Batina, Nikola, Golden, Teresa, Lu, Frank, Hubbard, Arthur T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Angular distribution
Applied sciences
Atomic structure
Atoms
Atoms & subatomic particles
Auger effect
Augers
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Elastic scattering
Electron emission
Electronic structure
Electrons
Exact sciences and technology
Kinetic energy
Metals. Metallurgy
Microscopes
Physics
Research Article
Silhouettes
Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces
Surface structure and topography
Surfaces and interfaces
thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties)
Vibration
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Summary:Measurements of the complete angular distribution of Auger electrons emitted from well-defined platinum[111] single-crystal surfaces have led to the discovery that the distributions are composed of "silhouettes" of surface atoms "back lit" by emission from atoms deeper in the solid. Theoretical simulations of Auger electron angular distributions based upon atomic point emitters and spherical atomic scatterers of uniform cross section are in close agreement with these experimental results, but opposite to previous theoretical predictions. In view of the definitive results obtained and the straightforward agreement between theory and experiment, angular distribution Auger microscopy (ADAM) is useful for direct imaging of interfacial structure and investigation of electron-solid interactions in the physical and biological sciences and engineering. Applicability of ADAM is illustrated by images obtained for monolayers of silver and iodine on platinum[111].
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.247.4939.182