A re-interpretation of the carbon KVV Auger electron spectrum from carbon dioxide exposed lithium surfaces

Abstract

The observation of a characteristic two-peak structure in the carbon KVV Auger feature from lithium surfaces exposed to carbon dioxide, recently reported by David et al. [Appl. Surface Sci. 7 (1981) 185], shown to be consistent with the formation of a surface lithium carbonate species. The need for a fuller understanding of Auger electron lineshapes, and advantage of using a multitechnique approach to surface analysis, is demonstrated by comparing Auger electron and photoelectron spectra from carbonate and carbide surfaces.