An analysis is presented, with supporting experimental measurements, o
f the non-linear effects in electron intensity measurements using chan
nel electron multipliers (CEMs) in both the analogue amplification and
pulse counting modes. It is shown that for Auger electron spectroscop
y, where the CEMs may be used in the analogue mode, the output current
should not exceed 0.8r% of the CEM wall current for the linearity to
be maintained within r%. In the pulse counting mode, used more general
ly, simple dead time corrections are possible over a limited range of
counting rates. This range is defined theoretically and experimental p
rocedures are demonstrated to show how the range may be defined, and t
he necessary corrections made, to retain accurate linearity within 0.5
%.