Spectra of low-energy electrons excited by soft x rays

A study is made of the x-ray photoemission spectra of low-energy electrons (E _kin=0–30 eV) and its dependence on the way in which the potentials are applied to the entrance system of the analyzer. It is shown that under certain experimental conditions the spectrum consists solely of electrons emitted from the sample. The x-ray photoemission spectrum of pure silver is found to have a fine structure, which disappears when a surface layer of carbon or oxygen is deposited on the surface. The spectrum then takes on the “cascade” form. A possible interpretation of the fine structure is suggested in the framework of band theory. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 73–77 (March 1997)