Auger parameter and Wagner plot studies of small copper clusters

We discuss application of the Auger parameter and Wagner plot concepts to the study of small copper clusters deposited on various supports such as C(graphite), SiO2 and Al2O3. We demonstrate that the cluster size and the electronic properties of the support influence the shifts of both the binding energy of the Cu 2p3/2 transition and the kinetic energy of the Cu L3M45M45; 1G Auger transition. We find that the Cu L3M45M45; 1G-2p3/2 Auger parameter and Wagner plot allow one to single out and measure both initial- and final-state effects with a detail which is superior to that achieved in photoemission studies.