The XPS Research Institute (XRI)
 
 
 
The XPS Research Institute (XRI) is an international, scientific, non-profit organization focused on improving the reliability, reproducibility, and accuracy of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) data and analysis. Officially registered as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the institute serves as an educational and collaborative platform for university professors, industrial scientists, government researchers, and instrument manufacturers worldwide. 
 
 
 
 
Core Mission & Goals
  • Data Reliability: Collaborates globally with instrument makers *such as Kratos, PHI, Omicron, Thermo) academic professors, industrial scientists, contract labs, and government labs to produce dependable binding energies (BEs), atomic % quantifications, chemical state assignments, and peak-fitting interpretations to minimize errors in scientific literature.

  • Protocols and Methods: Develop documented methods and protocols that address gaps and issues not fully covered by traditional standards groups like ISO, VAMAS, or ASTM. Create new experimental methods and protocols not currently covered by standard groups like ISO, VAMAS, or ASTM
  • Key Improvements: Focuses on refining binding energies (BEs), helping scientists and engineers produce more reliable binding energies (BEs), atom% quantifications, chemical state assignments, and peak-fittings.

  • Global Collaboration: Work alongside XPS instrument manufacturers, university professors, industrial scientists, contract lab engineers, and government researchers

  • Reference & Databases: Expand resources such as “The XPS Library” and “The International XPS Database of XPS Reference Spectra. 
     

 

 
 
Key Projects & Research Topics

  • Project #1: The XPS Library
    Expanding a web-based repository of reference data, raw/processed spectra, and guidelines.

  • Project #2: The International XPS Spectra-Base
    Compiling reliable reference spectra from pure commonplace chemical compounds

  • Project #3: Charging and Compensation
    Developing protocols for charge referencing, charge correction, and insulator handling.
  • Project #4: Charge Referencing
    Explaining Patented Absolute Charge Referencing™ method

  • Project #5:  SFs, RSFs, IMFPs and Atom%s
    Refining relative sensitivity factors (RSFs), inelastic mean free paths (IMFPs), atom% calculations, thin-film analysis, and peak-fitting standards

  • Project #6: Bad Peak-Fitting Revealed and Explained

  • Project #7: Histograms of BEs  – Useful as a Guide for Peak Assignments

  • Project #8: Laser-XPS

 
Key Activities & Focus Areas

  • Binding Energy & Calibration: Developing better methods for energy scale calibration (such as using pure copper metal) and improving chemical state assignments. 

  • Databases & Libraries: Expanding The XPS Library and The International XPS Database of XPS Reference Spectra.

  • Training & Certification: Offering online courses, training videos, peak-fit training tests, and hands-on operational skill certifications ranging from Novice (Level 1) to Master (Level 5).

  • Round-Robin Testing: Conducting international round-robin testing using standardized polymers, single crystals, and sequential oxidation state compounds. 
 
 
 
Objectives & Mission
The primary objective of the institute is to address analytical gaps that are not currently covered by traditional international standards groups like ISO, VAMAS, or ASTM. Its mission centers around: 
  • Data Reliability: Helping scientists achieve reliable binding energies (BEs), chemical state assignments, and atom% quantitations.
  • Skill Development: Offering specialized instruction to improve peak-fitting skills and instrument operation protocols.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Maintaining and expanding “The XPS Library” using crowd-sourced global contributions.
  • Collaborative Research: Leading global “Round Robins” to cross-verify charging corrections, software efficiency, and repeatability.

 

 
Training & Certification Levels – XPS Knowledge Levels

XRI offers educational courses, guides, and certification programs for XPS knowledge levels through the XPS Research Institute Official Website:

  • XPS Novice (L1): Silver Certificate
  • XPS Apprentice (L2): Gold Certificate
  • XPS Professional (L3): Platinum Certificate
  • XPS Expert (L4): Diamond Certificate
  • XPS Master (L5): Positron XRI Certificate 

    The curriculum includes specific lessons detailing basic technology, terminology, limitations of XPS, binding energy scale calibration, and absolute charge referencing. 

 

 
Certification Levels – XPS Instrument Operation Skills

XRI offers educational courses, guides, and certification programs for XPS instrument operation through the XPS Research Institute Official Website: 

  • XPS Instrument Operation – Level 1 – Trainee
  • XPS Instrument Operation – Level 2 – Competent 
  • XPS Instrument Operation – Level 3 – Master
 
 
Images in the XPS Research Institute Website
 

 

 

X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy | Materials Research Institute

 

 

The research and materials distributed by the institute focus heavily on overcoming common physical and logistical hurdles inherent to the surface analysis technique: [1, 2]
  • Charge Control: Managing absolute charge referencing and charging impacts on insulators.
  • Peak-Fitting Evaluation: Standardizing the math and boundary parameters for background subtraction and peak area end-points.
  • Literature Integrity: Mitigating the proliferation of unreliable binding energies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 

Attribute Profile Summary
Organization Name XPS Research Institute (XRI )
Legal Status International Non-Profit Research Institute (501c3)
Official Website https://xpsresearch.institute  –  XPS Research Institute Official Portal
Key Focus Areas Data reliability, protocol standardizations, peak-fitting, and charge calibration
Primary Audience Academics, contract labs, instrument manufacturers, and material engineers

Attribute Details
Organization Type International Non-Profit Research Institute (501c3)
Core Purpose Improve reliability of XPS chemical state and atom% data
Primary Resources Protocols, Peak-fitting tests, Calibration guides, Software training
Educational Offerings Five levels of professional XPS certification (L1 to L5)
Official Website XPS Research Institute Official Portal