Ion bombardment induced photon and Auger emission for surface analysis

Impact of heavy ions on surfaces induces Auger electron and photon spectra characteristic of the surfaces. In general such spectra are dominated by decay of excited sputtered particles. Auger decays are very fast so decay may sometimes occur while the particle is under the influence of the surface field, leading to complex spectral features. By contrast, radiative decay is slow so that ejected atoms are in free space before photon emission occurs and the spectra are readily recognized by reference to standard tables. The present understanding of both types of spectral is reviewed and the circumstances under which they may be useful for determination of surface properties or surface composition are considered. (author)