Surface Analysis of Steels by Modified Glow Discharge Spectrometry

Abstract

Grimm-type glow discharge spectrometry (GDS) utilizing both sub-and pre-discharge techniques is capable of providing a rapid and accurate method for determining the elemental composition of iron and steel surfaces, and also for determining in-depth concentration profiles in thin surface layer (within 1000Å from surface). By using GDS with the preliminary discharge technique (modified GDS), the influence of abnormal fluctuation at the first stage of discharge was completely excluded, and the unstable region of the intensity profile at the beginning of discharge was restricted to 10Å or so. This modified GDS provides a means for measuring the correct depth profile at the uppermost surface layer of steels, and also provides the capability for an important application of GDS to surface analysis.