A comparison of results of an ESCA study of nonconducting solids using spectrometers of different constructions

The binding energies of 17 photoelectron lines in the spectra of six chemical compounds have been measured using nine spectrometers of seven different types of construction. The results are treated statistically and the reasons for data variability analysed. The most reliable of these data, which would be suitable for checking the calibration of spectrometers, are indicated. For 13 lines of three compounds the relative intensities were measured and compared with theoretical data. It is shown that, provided the kinetic energies of the photoelectrons are sufficiently high, the results concerning relative intensities obtained using one instrument can be applied, with appropriate corrections, for quantitative analysis using other spectrometers, with an accuracy of ∼10%. The spectral characteristics, intensities, contrasts and peak widths are compared for the different spectrometers and the need for further wide and objective comparisons of characteristics of serially manufactured instruments is pointed out.