Secondary ion emission of transition metal carbides

An analysis is presented showing how the interactomic bond energy of a surface may be estimated on the basis of SIMS data, provided the secondary energy distribution is simultaneously measured. The technique is illustrated for transition metal carbides. The present data satisfies the theory of Schroeer et al. (Surface Sci., 1973, 34, 571) indicating the important role played by interatomic bond forces in the mechanism of secondary ion emission. 9 ref.--R.E.