Plasmon peaks along with Auger P(LVV) peak have been observed in the ultraviolet photoelectron spectra (UPSs) of InP after 5 min of sputtering with 0.5 kV Ar(+) ions. Plasmon and Auger peaks are not observed in UPS of un-sputtered InP surface with native oxides of In and P. Filled electron energy levels are not observed near the Fermi level from 5 min sputtered InP surface due to increase of ionization potential of nano In clusters. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.