Forward focusing of Auger and Kikuchi electrons for surface structure determination: Ni(100) and oxidized Mg(0001)

Abstract

Angular profiles of "Kikuchi" and Auger electrons were measured and interpreted for a clean Ni(100) surface and a slightly oxidized Mg(OOOI) surface. Theoretical analysis of the data using forward focusing of the medium-energy electrons (500-1500 e V) shows that both Kikuchi and Auger electrons can be well represented as s-waves emitted from atomic sites. The Auger electron data are used to analyze the structure of slightly oxidized Mg(OOOI), yielding oxygen atom positions in the octahedral interstitial sites in the first two interlayer spacings of the metal.