Activity for the international standardization of surface chemical analysis (SCA) is initiated by ISO/TC 201 (International Organization for Standardization/Technical Committee 201). In this article, activities in ISO/TC 201 and the domestic committee, JSCA (Japan National Committee for Standardization of Surface Chemical Analysis), dealing with standards developed under ISO/TC 201 are introduced from a view point of electron spectroscopies, in which the author has been most involved. Furthermore, the author's ideas of the standardization are described from points of view of reproducibility issue to which SCA is faced and materials development via materials informatics.

View full abstract

Experimental Auger electron spectra (AES) of 2nd period elements and valence X-ray photoelectron spectra (VXPS) of four solid substances [LiF, graphite, GaN, SiO₂] are analyzed by density-functional theory (DFT) calculations using the model molecules of the unit cell. For the calculations, we use Gaussian09 program at B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) level to estimate VXPS, core-electron binding energies, and (Li ~ F)-KVV AES of the solid substances. In the AES simulations, we evaluate theoretical kinetic energies of the AES with our modified calculation method. The modified kinetic energies correspond to the final-state holes at the ground state in DFT calculations. Simulated KVV AES of the (Li ~ O) atoms with the maximum kinetic energies of the atoms agree considerably well to the experimental AES results. Calculated VXPS of the four substances are also in good accordance with the experimental ones. The kinetic energy formula of AES at the ground state appears to work better, despite its great simplicity.

View full abstract

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) have been attracting attention as the next generation batteries. The reduction of the internal resistance generated at the interface between solid electrolyte and cathode has become the key issue for practical use. In this study, authors tried to observe the cross-section of solid electrolyte/cathode interface using Scanning Auger Microprobe (SAM) incorporated into the multi-technique XPS system. it is challenging because the solid electrolyte materials are generally vulnerable to the electron beam. Therefore, we first evaluated the electron beam damage on a LiPON surface, and then determined the optimal conditions for AES mapping. In addition, by using this optimal conditions, it was shown that Lithium chemical state mapping of LiPON/LiCoO₂ cross sections can be evaluated.

View full abstract

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry with a focused ion beam system is a useful surface analysis to measure elemental mappings around 100 nm on a lateral resolution and trace element detections on a range of ppm in atomic concentration. With these advantages, TOF-SIMS has been frequently used for iron and steel material analysis. We have demonstrated some applications in this paper, that is the B distribution along the grain boundaries in the steel sample with a trace amount of B, the detection of tribofilm from the test piece surface after the sliding test, and so on.

View full abstract