Binary multilayers of TiO2/SiO2 and Si02/ZrO2 typically used as optica
l filters have been investigated by XPS, SIMS and SNMS. Depending on t
he composition of the layers, various SIMS signals are enhanced in the
interface region of the depth profiles. Charging effects at the inter
faces can be ruled out as an explanation for this behaviour by compari
ng SIMS with SNMS and XPS data. However, the chemical state of the ele
ments, which was monitored by XPS as a function of depth, plays the ke
y role in the observed variations.