DATA MANAGEMENT IN MULTIMETHOD SURFACE-ANALYSIS

The solution of the problem of interchangeability of surface analytica l data is gaining increasing importance in multi-method surface analys is. There are various surface analytical instruments in different labo ratories on several automation levels. For these instruments, which ar e controlled by computer systems working with proprietary software und er various operating systems, a standardised data format is necessary to allow an exchange of data. Therefore, a toolkit has been developed for the transfer, archiving and editing of surface analytical data in a standardised public domain format. This format contains all availabl e and necessary information on experimental conditions and all paramet ers specific for a number of analytical techniques such as AES, SAM, X PS, SIMS, STM, AFM and EPMA. Additionally, all data concerning the con ditions of sample-preparation and measurement history are included in order to allow a well-founded evaluation of the data and improved repr oducibility of the experiment.