The Auburn University Surface Science Laboratory (AUSSL) is devoted to applied and fundamental studies of surfaces used in state-of-the-art electronics applications.  By employing an interdisciplinary approach involving condensed matter physics, electrical engineering, materials science, and physical chemistry, we are favorably positioned to make important discoveries in several areas of microelectronics.  AUSSL has several standard and specialty surface science techniques and is one of the most well-equipped surface laboratories in the Southeast, having nearly $5M in surface equipment.

A list of our current capabilities:

·        Auger electron spectroscopy, AES (3 instruments)

·        X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS (3 instruments)

·        Ion scattering spectroscopy, ISS (2 instruments)

·        Scanning electron microscopy, SEM (3 instruments)

·        Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, EDS (2 instruments)

·        Scanning transmission electron microscopy, STEM (1 instrument)

·        Quadrupole mass spectroscopy, QMS (2 instruments)

·        Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, FTIR (1 instrument)

·        Scanning kinetic spectroscopy, SKS (1 instrument)

·        Electron stimulated desorption, ESD (1 instrument)

·        Temperature programmed desorption, TPD (1 instrument)

·        Molecular beam surface physics (1 instrument)

·        Wetting balance (1 instrument)

·        Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, RBS (1 instrument)*

·        Light ion channeling, LIC (1 instrument)*

·        High energy ion implantation (1 instrument)*

*Supervised by longtime colleague, Professor J. R. Williams

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Custom-Designed Multi-Technique Surface Instrument

(based on Kratos XSAM 800)

·        Scanning AES

·        XPS (dual anode)

·        ISS

·        SEM

·        QMS

·        UHV monolayer metal evaporators

·        High pressure cell for variable gas pressure environments

·        Wetting and spreading cell for studies of molten surfaces

Custom-Designed Fundamental Surface Chemistry Instrument

·        Fixed-beam AES

·        Specimen heating and cooling from 77K < T < 1000C

·        Electron Stimulated Desorption (ESD)

·        Scanning Kinetic Spectroscopy (SKS)

·        Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD)

·        Quadrupole Mass Spectroscopy (QMS)

·        Molecular Beam Surface Physics

·        Sticking Coefficients

·        UHV Metal Evaporators for Monolayer Depositions

·        Ability to Expose Nearly any Gas to any Surface at any Temperature

Dedicated XPS Instrument (based on Kratos XSAM 800 technology)

Recently Donated Multi-Technique Surface Analysis Instrument

Programmable Temperature-Cycling Scanning Electron Microscope

Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) with Heating and HATR Capability

JEOL 200 keV Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM)

TEM Sample Prep Area

Wetting Balance Instrument

 

 

Variable Environment Bell-Jar Wetting System

 

 

High Pumping Speed Solder Paste Wetting SEM

 

 

In-Situ Dynamic Wetting Capabilities Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

 

Cambridge SEM has been fitted with a BN specimen heater and high pumping speed enables specimen heating to ~ 500 C Wetting and spreading is observed while it occurs rather than after the fact Type K thermocouple allows accurate temperature measurements during wetting Video tape capability allows alloy to be viewed during melting, wetting, and spreading Molten alloy composition can be examined by EDX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AU Rutherford Backscattering Accelerator Facility

(with light ion channeling and ion implantation)

 

Main Beam Line

 

 

RBS Scattering Chamber

 

 

Metallography and Optical Microscopy

 

 

Custom Experimental Setups

(measurement of fretting corrosion in Daimler-Chrysler                  transmission modules)