Characterization of SiC fibers by soft x-ray photoelectron and photoabsorption spectroscopies and scanning Auger microscopy

Synchrotron radiation soft x-ray photoelectron and photoabsorption spectroscopy was used to characterize commercially obtained SiC fibers produced by CVD on a W core and followed by a C passivating layer. Depth profiling of the fiber through the C/SiC interface was done by making Si 2p and C 1s core level PES and PAS, as well as scanning Auger microscopy, measurements following Ar{sup +} sputtering. No significant changes in either photoemission or absorption or Auger line shapes were observed versus depth, indicating no significant interfacial reaction. The line shapes of the carbonaceous coatings are predominantely graphite-like and those of the CVD SiC coatings are microcrystalline, with disorder present to some extent in both cases.