Standard Guide for Procedures for Specimen Preparation and Mounting in Surface Analysis

SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers specimen preparation and mounting prior to, during, and following surface analysis.  
1.2 This guide applies to the following surface analysis disciplines:  
1.2.1 Auger electron spectroscopy (AES),  
1.2.2 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA), and
1.2.3 Secondary ion mass spectrometry, SIMS.  
1.2.4 Although primarily written for AES, XPS, and SIMS, methods will also apply to many surface sensitive analysis methods such as ion scattering spectrometry, low energy electron diffraction, and electron energy loss spectroscopy, where specimen handling can influence surface sensitive measurements.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Publication Date
09-Sep-1997
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Designation:E1078–97
Standard Guide for
1
Specimen Preparation and Mounting in Surface Analysis
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1078; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (ε) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope and erroneous data. Specimens should be handled carefully so
as to avoid the introduction of spurious contaminants in the
1.1 This guide covers specimen preparation and mounting
preparation and mounting process. The goal must be to
prior to, during, and following surface analysis and applies to
preserve the state of the surface so that the analysis remains
the following surface analysis disciplines:
representative of the original subject.
1.1.1 Auger electron spectroscopy (AES),
4.2 Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelec-
1.1.2 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and ESCA),
tron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA), and secondary ion mass
and
spectrometry (SIMS) are sensitive to surface layers that are
1.1.3 Secondary ion mass spectrometry, SIMS.
typically a few nanometres (nm) in thickness. Such thin layers
1.1.4 Although primarily written forAES, XPS, and SIMS,
can be subject to severe perturbations due to specimen han-
these methods will also apply to many surface sensitive
3
dling (1).
analysis methods, such as ion scattering spectrometry, low
4.3 This guide describes methods to minimize the effects of
energy electron diffraction, and electron energy loss spectros-
specimen preparation on the results obtained using surface
copy, where specimen handling can influence surface sensitive
sensitive analytical techniques. Methods to mount specimens
measurements.
toobtaindesiredinformationarealsodescribed.Foradditional
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
information concerning handling of specimens, see Guide
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E1829.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. General Requirements
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 Although the handling techniques for AES, XPS, and
2. Referenced Documents SIMS are basically similar, there are some differences. In
general, preparation of specimens forAES and SIMS requires
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
more attention because of potential problems with electron or
E673 Terminology Relating to Surface Analysis
ion beam damage or charging, or both. This guide will note
E983 Guide for Minimizing Unwanted Electron Beam
2
whenspecimenpreparationissignificantlydifferentamongthe
Effects in Auger Electron Spectroscopy
three techniques.
E1127 Guide for Depth Profiling in Auger Electron Spec-
2
5.2 The degree of cleanliness required by surface sensitive
troscopy
analyticaltechniquesisoftenmuchgreaterthanforotherforms
E1829 Guide for Handling Specimens Prior to Surface
2
of analysis.Analysts new toAES, XPS, and SIMS often need
Analysis
to be educated regarding these more stringent requirements.
3. Terminology
5.3 Contact—Any handling of the surface area to be ana-
lyzed should be eliminated or minimized whenever possible.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of surface analysis terms
5.4 Visual Inspection:
used in this guide, see Terminology E673.
5.4.1 One should make a visual inspection, possibly using a
4. Significance and Use
light microscope, prior to analysis.
5.4.2 Features that are visually apparent in the laboratory
4.1 Proper preparation and mounting of specimens is par-
outside the vacuum system may not be observable with the
ticularly critical for surface analysis. Improper preparation of
system’susualimagingmethodorthroughavailableviewports.
specimens can result in alteration of the surface composition
When such a situation occurs, it may be necessary to mark the
specimenwithscratcheswhileexaminingitvisuallysothatthe
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-42 on Surface correct location for analysis can be found.
Analysis and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittees E42.03 on Auger
Electron Spectroscopy and XPS.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1996. Published November 1996. Originally
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published as E1078–90. Last previous edition E1078–96a. Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E1078–97
5.4.3 Following analysis, visual examination of the speci- that are often found on gloves. “Powder-free” gloves have no
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