Theta Probe Angle Resolved X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (ARXPS)

The Theta Probe from Thermo Scientific is designed for the analysis and characterisation of ultra-thin films. It enables the user to collect angle-resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS) spectra without the need to tilt the sample. This allows non-destructive characterisation of ultra-thin layers and is suited a vast range of different materials.

This instrument is ideally suited to analysing the near surface region (top few nanometers) of materials, which is of critical importance to many applications, as knowledge of the surface chemistry is paramount to the materials success. The Theta Probe comes into its own in these applications using parallel angle resolved XPS (PARXPS). Combined with Thermo Scientifics Advantage Data System software package, the overall system becomes a formidable instrument that is simple and intuitive to use and is easily capable of providing precise and accurate characterisations.

Why Use PARXPS?

PARXPS is able to non-destructively resolve:

The sequence of layers in an ultra-thin film
Thickness of the layers, including buried layers
The concentration depth profile through the layers
Uniformity of thickness, composition and distribution of material within the layers

Advantages of PARXPS

APRXPS is the ideal technique for analysing thin films. Benefits of the technique include:

Suitable for small areas, large samples and within images and depth profiles
PARXPS is faster than the traditional method involving sample tilting
The analysis area remains constant, independent of electron emission angle
The energy resolution is constant over all angles because the whole of the X-ray spot is within the field of view of the spectrometer

Small Area Spectroscopy

The Theta Probe incorporates a microfocussing monochromators for source defined SAXPS and is as simple to use as large area XPS. It features maximum sensitivity and selectable spot size from 15 to 400µm. This system allows the easy acquisition of chemical state images of the surface.

In conjunction with PARXPS, it creates images of chemical distributions in ultra-thin films.

Depth Profiling

The system includes a digitally-controlled EX05 ion gun can be used to provide depth profiles even when using low energy ions. An azimuthal sample rotation available for depth profiling.

Software

Thermo Scientifics Advantage Data System allows the user to generate the maximum amount of information from a data set. It is able to control the entire system from sample to data processing, as well as managing data from all aspects of the analysis. In addition it allows the system to operate unattended, processing multiple samples without user intervention.

Key Features

Key features of the Thermo Scientific Theta Probe include:

Parallel ARXPS for ultra-thin film measurements without tilting
Small spot X-ray source for small feature analysis
Chemical state imaging
Overhead sample alignment with co-axial and off-axial lighting
Large sample handling
Ion source for depth profiling
Fully featured Thermo Scientific Avantage software for instrument control, data acquisition, data processing and reporting
Automated 5-axis stage for precise sample manipulation