Combined Mass Spectrometric and Auger Electron Spectrosopic Techniques for Metal Contacts

Quadrupole mass spectrometry and Auger electron spectroscopy have not previously been used in combination for investigations of metal contact surface phenomena. These techniques are described here specifically for metal contact research and development. Phenomenological results obtained using these techniques in association with other ultrahigh vacuum facilities that are reported here are intrinsic contact contamination, metal transfer from arcing, growth of impurity carbon due to arcing, surface segregation, contact outgassing, field desorption, and contact environmental control. These techniques are the experimental part of an accompanying paper on the surface chemistry of contact materials.