Effects of the working conditions of retarding field spectrometers on the energy distribution of secondary electrons

Retarding field spectrometers designed for Auger electron spectroscopy show spurious peaks in the low energy range which are connected with secondary electron emission from the electrodes of the spectrometer. We present a general explanation for all the spurious effects reported to date.The understanding of these phenomena has led us to the building of a new spectrometer which works with optimal experimental conditions.We present the results and experimental curves of secondary electron energy distribution for an evaporated aluminium target.