Auger Spectroscopy Study on the Surface Composition of Copper–Nickel Alloys after Annealing and Sputtering

The changes in surface composition of Cu–Ni alloys after various treatments have been observed by means of Auger electron spectroscopy. A retarding field analyzer consisting of four spherical grids was used. Samples of six different compositions were examined to obtain the calibration curve between the chemical composition and the peak-to-peak height of the derivative Auger peak. The sample surfaces were only polished with emery papers and rinsed in water and acetone. The apparatus was ion pumped to the mid 10−9-Torr range without baking so as not to affect the samples by heating. It was found that the Ni content on the sample surfaces for 80% Ni alloy decreases during the annealing process above 100 °C; and sputtering with argon ions of about 500 eV causes the nickel to become enriched in the surface layers. A slight increase of the nickel was observed on the surface of 38% Ni alloy after initial heating.