We investigate crystal orientation effects in the sputtering rate of pure i
ron in glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES). Scanning elect
ron microscopy (SEM), optical profilometry and electron backscattered diffr
action (EBSD) are used to investigate details of the surface structure and
to correlate the depth of burn-and hence sputtering rate-with the crystallo
graphy of the sample. The microstructure of the sputtered crater bottom is
classified into three types: 'rough', 'concaved' and 'smooth'. It was found
that there is a correlation between the crystal orientation normal to the
surface, the resulting surface texture and the sputtering rate:'rough' text
ure results from a crystallographic pole of [111] normal to the surface; 'c
oncaved' texture is close to [001]; and 'smooth' tends to be between [111]
and [001]. It was found that the average sputtered depth of the micro-areas
close to [001] pole is deeper than that of those close to [111]. Implicati
ons for the depth resolution in GDOES are discussed. Copyright (C) 2001 Joh
n Wiley & Sons, Ltd.