Studies of surface composition of Ag-Au, Au-Cu, and Ag-Cu alloys after ion bombardment by Auger electron spectroscopy

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.323879· OSTI ID:7226855

Betz, G; Braun, P; Faerber, W

Changes in the surface composition of the single-phase binary alloy systems Ag-Au and Au-Cu and the two-phase system Ag-Cu after sputtering with 1-keV Ar/sup +/ ions have been studied by Auger electron spectroscopy. A different behavior was observed for single-phase and two-phase systems. For the single-phase systems no change in surface composition can be detected after stopping sputtering. Therefore, the results in surface composition agree with those obtained during sputtering. However, for the two-phase system Ag-Cu the surface becomes enriched in Ag within a few minutes after prolonged ion bombardment is stopped. Assuming surface diffusion a simple model shows that the surface becomes covered by about one to two atomic layers of Ag, independent of the Ag bulk concentration. Furthermore, experiments with a 40 at.% Ag--60 at.% Cu sample indirectly heated to 350 degreeC indicate that surface diffusion is enhanced by radiation damage produced by ion bombardment.

• Research Organization: University of Technology, Vienna, A-1040 Wien, Austria
• OSTI ID: 7226855
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 48:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COPPER ALLOYS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
GOLD ALLOYS
SILVER ALLOYS
ARGON IONS
AUGER ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
BINARY ALLOY SYSTEMS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DIFFUSION
ION BEAMS
IRRADIATION
KEV RANGE 01-10
SPUTTERING
SURFACES
ALLOY SYSTEMS
ALLOYS
BEAMS
CHARGED PARTICLES
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ENERGY RANGE
IONS
KEV RANGE
RADIATION EFFECTS
SPECTROSCOPY
360106* - Metals & Alloys- Radiation Effects