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Description
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Background:The generation of chemical maps of sub-cellular structures in biological samples is one important tool to identify and localize accumulating ingested particles, drugs or metal tagged biomarkers.By correlating this chemical information obtained by spectroscopical methods like x-ray spectroscopy, etc. to an ultrastructural image obtained by light or electron microscopy the underlying physiological processes can be investigated.However, the better the lateral resolution of the chemical mapping, the lower the signal detected per voxel, oftentimes leading to inaccessibility of certain markers for chemical imaging in cells and tissues.In this regards, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a powerful technique for analyzing surfaces at high spatial resolution, owing to its ability to detect all elements from H to U and to differentiate between isotopes, its excellent sensitivity and its high dynamic range.Our group focuses on the development of multimodal imaging platforms giving access to correlative investigation approaches by directly linking SIMS data with data obtained by other analytical (such as Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy) or imaging techniques on the same instrument (e.g.secondary electrons (SE), back-scattered electrons (BSE) or images of the transmitted ion or electron beam (STIM, STEM)).The possible combinations are dependent on the sources and detectors available on these platforms. Methods:Currently, several focused ion beam platforms with or without an additional electron column are available and are equipped with at least a secondary electron detector and LIST's magnetic sector SIMS system (FIB-SIMS with < 15 nm spatial resolution).These instruments use various primary ion beam species, such as Ga [1], He / Ne [2-3], Cs [4] as well as Si / Au / Li / Bi [5].Our magnetic sector SIMS system is equipped with a continuous focal plane detector technology allowing parallel detection of all masses for each single pixel in the scanned region of interest.One instrument is also equipped for imaging the transmitted beam information and can be operated at RT and under cryogenic conditions facilitating the analysis of beam sensitive samples and frozen samples. Results:A number of examples from different application fields (nanotoxicology, environmental pollution, water organisms etc.) will be presented. Conclusion:The performance of the different instruments will be discussed with a focus on new developments, different SIMS acquisition modes (mass spectra, depth profiling, 2D and 3D chemical imaging) and their applicability for biological samples including frozen-hydrated specimen. (2024-01-01)
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