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Instrument Database:
CAMECA SAS - NanoSIMS 50/ 50L
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available |
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CAMECA SAS
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Mass spectrometer: SIMS/SNMS
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The CAMECA NanoSIMS 50 is a new ion microprobe, developed for trace element and isotopic analysis of ultra-fine features.
Among the unique new features offered by the NanoSIMS 50 are:
- the ability to extend the SIMS analysis to extremely small areas or volumes (50 nm size in cesium, 150 nm in oxygen) while maintaining extremely high sensitivity at High Mass Resolution. This derives from the revolutionary coaxial optical design of the ion gun and secondary ion extraction, and from a new design of the magnetic sector mass analyzer.
- the capability to measure up to 5 (NS50) or 7 (NS50L) masses (ions) in parallel, ensuring perfect isotopic ratio from the same small volume, or perfect image superimposition.
This outstanding performance opens new fields to which SIMS can be applied:
- In geology and space science, the 50 nm SIMS lateral resolution together with the ability to measure isotopes precisely means that interplanetary dust particles and meteorite grains can be measured. The vast majority of these particles is much less than a micron in size. The analysis and classification of their isotopic signature helps model star formation. See for example "Samples of stars beyond the solar system: silicates grains in Interplanetary dust. Scott Messenger and Al.". A new version (NS50L) with a larger analyzer, seven detectors, and multiple detectors (FC and EM) on each trolley enlarges the application field in terrestrial geology.
- In material research and semi conductors, the 50 nm SIMS lateral resolution together with the sensitivity improvements allow trace element (dopant) imaging and quantification at sub-micron scale, even in insulating materials (ex:Yttrium-Aluminum garnet). The application field is very large: dopant imaging in optical fibers or MEMS, phase, segregation, diffusion and particle analysis in metallurgy, ceramics, rubber, polymers to cite a few.
- In biology and pharmacology, the 50 nm SIMS lateral resolution (the minimum detail observable) allows intra-cellular analysis of inorganic traces in vegetal or animal tissues. The NanoSIMS isotopic ratio capabilities allow comparison in exactly the same subcellular compartments, of images of the distribution and measurement of the accumulation of several molecules labeled with different stable isotopes (e.g. 15N, 13C, 2H, 18O, 33S, 74Se, ...). See example: study on mouse cochlea. MIMS (Multiple Isotope Mass Spectrometry) opens a world of labeling possibilities impossible with autoradiography, and offers a much higher sensitivity. As other examples, remainings of drugs in bone, liver or hair can be easily imaged with unrivalled lateral resolution and sensitivity.
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