https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.09305
In X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, measurement of the charging potential of a particular sample from a comparison of the experimentally measured \(\ce{C 1s}\) binding energy, arising from adsorbed hydrocarbons on the sample, with a standard binding energy value.
Notes:
- A nominal value of \(\pu{285.0 eV}\) is often used for the binding energy of the relevant \(\ce{C 1s}\) peak, although some analysts prefer specific values in the range \(\pu{284.6 eV}\) to \(\pu{285.2 eV}\), depending on the nature of the substrate. This method does not determine the true charging potential, since the true binding energy of the adsorbed hydrocarbons is not known.
- Different sample charging potentials can occur on different areas on the surface, or at different depths, arising, for example, from sample inhomogeneities or non-uniform intensity of the incident-radiation flux.
See also: Fermi level referencing