Energy calibration in electron spectroscopy and the re-determination of some reference electron binding energies

Measured binding energies were found to vary with the choice of reference binding energies used in instrument calibration. Inadequate linearity of the spectrometer energy scale was eliminated as a source of the error. Primary calibration methods were considered, and tried. The instrument was finally set up by the two X-ray wavelength method, using Al Kα and the Ag Lα,β radiations. Subsequent re-determination of electron binding energies for noble metals and copper showed differences from previously adopted values that would be important in calibration work.