Auger electron spectroscopy of TiO 2: Inter-and intra-atomic transitions connected with the valence band

Abstract

Auger electron spectroscopy was employed as a probe of the valence band density-of-states. Cleaved TiO 2 (110) surfaces were annealed, bombarded with Ar ions, and exposed to oxygen. The Ti-LMV Auger spectral shape was changed with various surface treatments. The annealed surface was nearly stoichiometric and exhibited the inter-atomic Auger transition, connected with the valence band originating from the oxygen 2p level. i.e., L(Ti)M(Ti)V(O). The ion bombarded surface, however, showed both inter- and intra-atomic Auger processes, the latter of which, L(Ti)M(Ti)V(Ti), occurred with the titanium 3d level occupied with electrons by oxygen defect formation.