Surface studies of (111) facets of cBN mini-crystals

Surface analysis techniques, including x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy wit h small-spot analysis (down to 100 mu m(2)) capabilities, field emission sc anning Auger microscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy in association w ith these two techniques and micro-Raman spectroscopy, have been used to co llect surface information on specific facets of commercially available subm illimetre-sized cubic boron nitride (cBN) crystals. With the freedom of cho osing a specific Facet with a known orientation relative to the probing bea m and detector, it is possible to obtain accurate information on the surfac e compositional structure of a cBN crystal before and after a surface react ion. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.