4.1 The purpose of this guide is assist users and analysts in selecting the standardization procedures relevant to a defined XPS experiment. These experiments may be based, for example, upon material failure analysis, the determination of surface chemistry of a solid, or the composition profile of a thin film or coating. A series of options will be summarized giving the standards that are related to specific information requirements. ISO 15470 and ISO 10810 also aid XPS users in experiment design for typical samples. ASTM Committee E42 and ISO TC201 are in a continuous process of updating and adding standards and guides. It is recommended to refer to the ASTM and ISO websites for a current list of standards.

1.1 This guide describes an approach to enable users and analysts to determine the calibrations and standards useful to obtain meaningful surface chemistry data with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and to optimize the instrument for specific analysis objectives and data collection time.

1.2 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This guide cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide will be applicable in all circumstances.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 This standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.