Calibration Software for Electron Spectrometers
NPL has developed software for intensity calibration of cylindrical mirror analyser (CMA) or hemispherical sector analyser (HSA) spectrometers. With spectra acquired from copper, silver and gold reference materials, the software can be used to calculate the intensity response function (or transmission function) of the spectrometer.
- Calibration gives transmission function over kinetic energy range 20 to 2500 eV in AES, and the entire Al or Mg Binding Energy range in XPS.
- The calibrated response function is then available as a digital output data file of values at 1 eV intervals, and as an analytical function.
- Software automatically prints a five page Certificate of Calibration from your own printer.
Spectra acquired subsequently can be divided by the Intensity/Energy Response Function to obtain spectra which are genuinely intercomparable with those from other calibrated instruments, typically to an accuracy of a few percent. If, in AES, the primary beam current is also measured, one can even obtain spectra with absolute intensities in SI units.
- Download an introductory article (
PDF, 145 kB) describing these intensity calibration systems - Download the AES Calibration Software Demo
- Download the XPS Calibration Software Demo
- Frequently asked questions, FAQs
Benefits of spectrometer calibration include:
- The intensity response function of your spectrometer in the form of an easy-to-evaluate equation.
- Plots of response as a function of kinetic energy.
- A VAMAS file of the response function for use in quantification of subsequent spectra.
- Excellent precision in both Auger electron and X-ray photoelectron spectrometers (AES and XPS).
- Gives analyses which are genuinely comparable from instrument to instrument at this level of precision for the first time.
- Maintenance of correct instrument behaviour by performance tracking.
- Five page calibration certificate for your spectrometer, in the format proposed under ISO Guide 25, and ideal for ISO 17025, minimising paper work for those seeking accreditation under any of the laboratory measurement accreditation schemes, such as UKAS in the UK.