Ion-induced Auger emission from solids: Correlation between Auger energies and work functions

Abstract

We have studied atomiclike Auger peaks appearing in the electron energy spectra of solids under low-energy heavy-ion bombardment. These peaks are usually associated with Auger transitions of either projectiles or target atoms. A controversy exists on whether these excited atoms decay inside or outside the solid. Simple considerations show that the energy of an electron ejected from an excited atom placed outside the solid surface, referred to the Fermi level, should depend on the work function. We have observed this correlation in three different cases, which shows that such atomiclike peaks correspond to Auger decays outside the solid.