title: Electron Probe Microanalysis of Ni Silicides Using Ni-L X-Ray Lines.
abstract: We report electron probe microanalysis measurements on nickel silicides, Ni5Si2, Ni2Si, Ni3Si2, and NiSi, which were done in order to investigate anomalies that affect the analysis of such materials by using the Ni L3-M4,5 line (Lα). Possible sources of systematic discrepancies between experimental data and theoretical predictions of Ni L3-M4,5 k-ratios are examined, and special attention is paid to dependence of the Ni L3-M4,5 k-ratios on mass-attenuation coefficients and partial fluorescence yields. Self-absorption X-ray spectra and empirical mass-attenuation coefficients were obtained for the considered materials from X-ray emission spectra and relative X-ray intensity measurements, respectively. It is shown that calculated k-ratios with empirical mass attenuation coefficients and modified partial fluorescence yields give better agreement with experimental data, except at very low accelerating voltages. Alternatively, satisfactory agreement is also achieved by using the Ni L3-M1 line (Lℓ) instead of the Ni L3-M4,5 line.
authors: 1Scientific and Technological Centers,Universitat de Barcelona,Lluís Solé i Sabarís 1-3,08028 Barcelona,Spain.
authors: Xavier
authors: 0000-0002-6716-6174
authors: X
authors: Llovet
authors: 2Central Facility for Electron Microscopy,RWTH Aachen University,Ahornstraße 55,52074 Aachen,Germany.
authors: Philippe T
authors: PT
authors: Pinard
authors: 3Department of Materials Science and Engineering,Aalto University,PO Box 16200,00076 Aalto,Espoo,Finland.
authors: Erkki
authors: E
authors: Heikinheimo
authors: 3Department of Materials Science and Engineering,Aalto University,PO Box 16200,00076 Aalto,Espoo,Finland.
authors: Seppo
authors: S
authors: Louhenkilpi
authors: 2Central Facility for Electron Microscopy,RWTH Aachen University,Ahornstraße 55,52074 Aachen,Germany.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Richter
keywords: L-lines; Ni silicide; electron probe microanalysis; wavelength-dispersive spectrometer