Auger Electron Spectroscopy Reference Manual : Springer : 9781475717044 : 1475717040 : 15 Jan 2013 : Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) is based on the Auger total secondary electron energy distribution, and an ion gun to process, which involves the core-level ionization of an atom with provide depth profiling capability. subsequent deexcitation occurring by an outer-level electron de­ The high surface sensitivity of Auger spectroscopy which dictates caying to fill the core hole. The excess energy is transferred to the need for an ultrahigh-vacuum system is due to the limited and causes the ejection of another electron, which is by definition mean free path of electrons in the 0-3000 e V kinetic energy an Auger electron. The Auger electron transition, denoted by range. The Auger peaks decay exponentially with overlayer cov­ the electron levels involved, is independent of the excitation erage, which is consistent with an exponential dependence of source and leaves the atom with a constan