Why Gold is the Reference Element for XPS: XRF & LIBS Alternatives

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SUMMARY

Gold is the preferred reference element for calibrating detectors in X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) due to its inertness, non-reactive surface, and minimal oxide formation, which allows for accurate calibration of the Fermi level. While other metals like platinum (Pt) can also serve as reference elements, they may not provide the same level of reliability under charge effects. The discussion highlights that with proper grounding, any metal can theoretically be used, but gold remains the standard due to its unique properties.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
  • Knowledge of charge effects in spectroscopy
  • Familiarity with reference elements in analytical chemistry
  • Basic principles of metal reactivity and surface chemistry
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of platinum (Pt) as a reference element in XPS
  • Explore the impact of grounding on charge effects in spectroscopy
  • Learn about alternative reference elements for X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
  • Investigate the properties of metals used in calibration for various spectroscopic techniques
USEFUL FOR

Analytical chemists, materials scientists, and researchers involved in spectroscopy who seek to understand the calibration processes and reference materials used in XPS, XRF, and LIBS techniques.

xhtp2000
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Hi, guys!
Gold is usually used as reference element to calibrate the detector in XPS due to the charge effect, why is Gold so specific? So what element can be the reference element for XRF and LIBS?
Thanks a lot!
 
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It is relatively inert, has a non-reactive surface, doesn't form an oxide (at least, not as easily as other metals), and thus, one can use it to calibrate the Fermi level.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
It is relatively inert, has a non-reactive surface, doesn't form an oxide (at least, not as easily as other metals), and thus, one can use it to calibrate the Fermi level.

Zz.

Isn't it because of the the charge effect? Is Gold inert to charge effect as well? The loss of electrons in Gold does not effect its Fermi level? Will Pt also fulfil the calibration task?
 
You will have charging effect if your sample isn't well-grounded, and this will happen to gold as well!

If you have good ground contacts, then ANY metal will work. So here, you have to ask, why gold. Why not, say, copper, which is considerably LESS expensive?

Zz.
 
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