The surface composition of the silver—Gold system by Auger electron spectroscopy

Abstract

The surface composition of polycrystalline AgAu alloy foils is studied by Auger electron spectroscopy. The intensities of principal Auger peaks over a wide range of electron energies are obtained as a function of alloy bulk composition for the clean equilibrated surfaces. Their ratios are compared with ratios expected for a surface showing no surface segregation, and for a surface obeying the regular solution monolayer model that predicts silver surface segregation. The experimental results give evidence for enrichment of the surface with silver, but to an extent less than predicted by the regular solution model.