ASTM E902-05 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E902-05 — Standard Practice for Checking the Operating Characteristics of X‑Ray Photoelectron Spectrometers. This practice provides a short, practical set of checks and test procedures that laboratories and instrument technicians can use to verify basic operating characteristics of an X‑ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) including intensity repeatability, instrumental drift, energy‑scale behavior, and basic resolution checks.

Abstract

ASTM E902-05 describes routine procedures for checking several operating characteristics of an XPS instrument so users can detect drift, degraded sensitivity, or configuration changes that might affect analytical results. The practice is intended to augment manufacturer calibrations and to be applied consistently as a day‑to‑day performance check rather than as a comparative ranking between different instruments.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (withdrawal date recorded in ASTM records: November 6, 2011).
• Publication date: Published/approved 2005 (designation E902–05; effective April 1, 2005).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: Surface analysis / optical and physico‑chemical test methods (committee E42 — Surface Analysis).
• Edition / version: E902-05 (2005 edition).
• Number of pages: Short practice — approximately 4 pages.

Scope

This practice covers procedures for checking selected operating characteristics of X‑ray photoelectron spectrometers: repeatability of intensity measurements, intensity drift over time, basic energy‑scale behavior and linearity checks, short‑term voltage stability, transmission behavior and basic energy resolution (FWHM) checks. It is intended as an instrument‑specific routine check (useful for periodic QC) and not as a means to compare different instruments. The practice may be used alongside calibration procedures such as those in Practice E2108.

Key topics and requirements

• Procedures to measure intensity repeatability and short‑term drift of XPS signals.
• Energy‑scale checks and guidance on verifying linearity of the binding‑energy scale.
• Basic resolution (FWHM) and peak‑shape checks to detect degradation of analyzer or X‑ray source performance.
• Recommended use of reference specimens (for example, clean copper) and acquiring sufficient counts for stable statistics.
• Recording and repeating instrument settings consistently so that comparisons over time are meaningful; practice is explicitly supplementary to manufacturer calibration procedures.

Typical use and users

Used by surface analysis laboratories, research groups, quality control and service engineers who operate or maintain XPS instruments. Typical users are instrument operators performing routine QC checks, laboratory managers establishing routine verification schedules, and service technicians diagnosing changes in instrument performance. The practice is suitable for systems with digital channel storage of counts and is intended for routine laboratory checks rather than primary metrology traceability.

Related standards

ASTM E902-05 is part of the body of surface‑analysis guidance under Committee E42 and references or relates to other ASTM practices and guides such as Practice E2108 (calibration of the electron binding‑energy scale), Practice/Guide E996 (reporting data in AES/XPS), and Terminology E673; it also cross‑references relevant ISO surface‑analysis documents. Note: E902-05 was recorded as withdrawn in 2011 and the ASTM store lists it as withdrawn with no direct replacement indicated in the record.

Keywords

XPS, X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy, spectrometer check, spectrometer performance, intensity repeatability, energy‑scale calibration, binding energy, resolution, ASTM E902, surface analysis, Committee E42.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: A short ASTM practice (E902-05) providing routine checks for operating characteristics of X‑ray photoelectron spectrometers to help users monitor instrument behavior and detect performance drift.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Procedures for checking intensity repeatability and drift, energy‑scale behavior and linearity checks, basic resolution (FWHM) and peak shape, short‑term voltage stability, and recommended specimen/measurement practice for routine QC.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: XPS instrument operators, laboratory QA/QC staff, surface‑analysis researchers, and service/maintenance technicians performing routine performance verification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: E902-05 was withdrawn (ASTM record shows withdrawal in 2011). ASTM listing indicates the document is withdrawn and no direct replacement is listed in the ASTM store record. Users should consult current ASTM and ISO guidance (and committee E42 publications) for up‑to‑date calibration and performance‑check practices.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the Committee E42 surface‑analysis family of standards and is cross‑referenced with other E‑series practices and guides (for example, E2108, E996, E673). The practice was intended to be used alongside these related documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: XPS, binding energy, spectrometer QC, intensity repeatability, energy scale, resolution (FWHM), ASTM E902.