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The role of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in biological microanalysis: technique comparisons and prospects
Author(s) -
Linton Richard W.,
Goldsmith Jack G.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1016/0248-4900(92)90021-r
Subject(s) - microanalysis , biomolecule , secondary ion mass spectrometry , mass spectrometry , field ion microscope , ion , analytical chemistry (journal) , resolution (logic) , materials science , biological specimen , electron probe microanalysis , nanotechnology , chemistry , scanning electron microscope , optics , chromatography , physics , computer science , organic chemistry , artificial intelligence , composite material
Summary— The virtues and limitations of SIMS ion microscopy are compared with other spectroscopic techniques applicable to biological microanalysis, with a special emphasis on techniques for elemental localization in biological tissue (electron, X‐ray, laser, nuclear, ion microprobes). Principal advantages of SIMS include high detection sensitivity, high depth resolution, isotope specificity, and possibilities for three‐dimensional imaging. Current limitations, especially in comparison to X‐ray microanalysis, center on lateral spatial resolution and quantification. Recent SIMS instrumentation advances involving field emission liquid metal ion sources and laser post‐ionization will help to minimize these limitations in the future. The molecular surface analysis capabilities of static SIMS, especially with the new developments in commercial time‐of‐flight spectrometers, are promising for application to biomimetic, biomaterials, and biological tissue or cell surfaces. However, the direct microchemical imaging of biomolecules in tissue samples using SIMS will be hindered by limited concentrations, small analytical volumes, and the inefficiencies of converting surface molecules to structurally significant gas phase ions. Indirect detection using elemental or isotopically tagged molecules, however, shows considerable promise for molecular imaging studies using SIMS ion microscopy.