Electron spectroscopy and the analyst

Abstract

Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy are surveyed from the point of view of the analyst. Factors affecting the cost and performance of commercially available instruments and one home-made instrument are discussed. Problems arising from use of the techniques are referred to. A number of examples of applications are presented, viz., the analysis of surfaces of fractured steels, the analysis of pigments, a study of the wear of molybdenum(iv) sulphide lubricant, the analysis of simple mixtures by spectrum filling techniques and the quantitative analysis of various flavours. It is also shown that a gas-liquid chromatograph can be coupled directly to an ultraviolet photoelectron spectrometer and used as a controlled inlet system. Alternatively, the spectrometer can be used as a selective gas-liquid chromatographic detector.