Oxygen exposure of Sm,Gd and Tb studied by Auger electron spectroscopy

The present paper treats the characteristics of the Auger transitions out of the valence band of the lanthanides Sm, Gd and Tb engaging in a chemical compound. These facts have been observed by AES on the basis of a slow oxidation process for these elements. The appearing Auger transitions have been identified as far as possible and compared with studies of density of states. The changes in the Auger spectra and the oxidation rate have been discussed.