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Energy Calibration

The preprocessing module corrects the binding energy axis using a reference peak of known position. This compensates for charging effects and instrument drift.

Theory

XPS binding energies are referenced to the Fermi level. Surface charging in insulating samples causes an offset \(\Delta E\) that must be corrected:

\[ E_b^{\text{(corrected)}} = E_b^{\text{(measured)}} + \Delta E \]

where:

\[ \Delta E = E_{\text{ref}}^{\text{(literature)}} - E_{\text{ref}}^{\text{(observed)}} \]

Common reference peaks:

Reference Literature Energy (eV)
C 1s (adventitious) 284.8
Au 4f\(\_{7/2}\) 84.0
Ag 3d\(\_{5/2}\) 368.2
Cu 2p\(\_{3/2}\) 932.7

API Reference

calibrate_spectrum

from xps_analyzer.preprocessing import calibrate_spectrum

calibrated = calibrate_spectrum(
    spectrum=c1s,
    reference_element="C 1s",
    reference_energy=284.8
)

Parameters:

Parameter Type Description
spectrum XPSSpectrum Spectrum to calibrate
reference_element str Region name of the reference peak
reference_energy float Literature binding energy in eV

Returns: A new XPSSpectrum with shifted energy axis.

calibrate_sample

from xps_analyzer.preprocessing import calibrate_sample

calibrated_sample = calibrate_sample(
    sample=sample,
    reference_element="C 1s",
    reference_energy=284.8
)

Applies calibrate_spectrum to all spectra in a dataset or sample, propagating the same energy shift throughout.