In situ photoemission electron spectroscopy of plasma-nitrided metal alloys

In this paper, we report the influence of oxygen on the structure and chemical compositions of the surface of low-energy (similar to 50 eV) implanted stainless steel studied by in situ photoemission electron spectroscopy. The presence of oxygen at the surface forms thermodynamically stable oxides and hydroxides, degrading metallic nitrides, and preventing efficient nitrogen diffusion into the bulk material. Among these metallic nitrides, gamma(N) and FeNx are more susceptible to oxidize. Lower oxygen partial pressures augment nitrogen content at the surface determining material bulk properties. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.9710