Core electron binding energy shifts in metal clusters: Tin on amorphous carbon.
01 January 1985
Small tin clusters supported on amorphous carbon substrates were studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for comparison with earlier work on noble and transition metals in order to assess the role of the d-band in core electron binding energy shifts. Comparable shifts are found in all cases, indicating that they have their origin in the net unit positive charge due to the emission of a photoelectron, which remains on cluster during the life time of the core hole. The limiting value of this shift in the smallest clusters is given by the metallic screening energy.