Calibration of argon ion sputter rates using nuclear microanalysis and Auger spectroscopy

Abstract

Abstract Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), in conjunction with argon ion sputtering, is frequently used to obtain composition versus depth profiles. Thin film thicknesses may be estimated from such profiles if the argon ion sputtering rate of a particular material is known. For this work, a series of oxide standards was prepared and calibrated with nuclear microanalysis techniques. These standards were then used to calibrate the composition versus depth profiles obtained using AES.