Elemental fractionation in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The major challenge to the use of laser ablation sample introduction, combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, is the problem of calibration. In the geological analysis of minerals, calibration is complicated by the extraordinarily wide variety of sample matrices which may be encountered. While there is a lack of mineral standards with well characterized concentrations near 1 microg/g, the NIST glass reference materials (SRM 610-617) have been demonstrated to be very useful for the analysis of a wide variety of lithophile elements in silicate samples. An internal reference element, for which the concentration is known in the sample, has been widely used to make corrections for the multiplicative effects of volume (or weight) of the sample ablated, instrument drift, and matrix effects. This procedure works extremely well where elements being determined and the internal reference element being used share similar ablation behaviours; i.e., they do not fractionate progressively during the ablation and transport process. In this study, it is demonstrated that, in terms of ablation behaviour, elements fall into several distinct clusters and that the elements within these clusters correlate well with each other during a period of ablation. Thus, elements within a cluster can be determined using an internal reference element from within the same cluster. While a combination of periodic varying properties typifies the clusters, the geochemical classification of elements into lithophile (silicate loving), and chalcophile (sulphide loving) appears to offer the best characterization of the major groups.     

基体归一定量技术在激光烧蚀-等离子体质谱法锆石原位多元素分析中的应用

探讨了内标法和基体归一法校准的基本原理。基体归一校准法的基本步骤为:先用简单外标法测得样品中尽可能全的主、次、痕量元素含量,氧化物加和后进行100%归一,得到灵敏度校正系数,对所有元素的测定结果进行修正。修正结果的可靠性在很大程度上取决于测定元素是否"完全"。由于锆石的基体元素组成简单且易于测定,很适合用基体归一法校准。在激光剥蚀-电感耦合等离子体质谱法(LA-ICP-MS)微区原位分析中,应用基体归一校准法的最大优点是:可以避免预先用其它微区分析技术对未知样品中的内标元素进行定量。该技术可适用于具有环带结构、难以找到均匀分布的内标元素的地质样品的元素空间分布测定。在高分辨ICP-MS(Element2)和NewWave-UV-213激光系统上,应用基体归一定量技术同时分析了锆石中主、次、痕量共54种元素。对未知锆石样品的分析,基体归一法与内标法结果的一致性令人满意。分析德国蛇纹岩标准玻璃ATHO-G中相对误差<25%的有52个元素,<10%的有36个元素;大多数元素的相对标准偏差<10%。     

Calibration of laser-ablation ICP-MS. Can we use synthetic standards with pneumatic nebulization?

An approach for the determination of trace element concentrations in high purity metals, using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) with a laser-ablation system for direct solid sample introduction after calibration with nebulized liquid standards was made. Due to the inherent differences in the rate of sample introduction with laser-ablation and pneumatic nebulization, a matrix element must be used as an internal standard. This is problematical for elements that have no isotope with a relative abundance of less than 0.1 %, since the ion signals would be too high for direct measurement, and reduction of the ablation rate would compromise the sensitivity for trace elements. Due to the high stability of ICP-unit and mass filter of the instrument used, it was found that the tail of a mass-peak of the matrix element could be used as an internal standard. Therefore, a position at –0.5 amu from the matrix-isotope (e.g. ^62.5Cu in copper samples) was used for internal standardization. The standard deviation of this signal in a period of 2.5 h was 3.6% RSD with no notable drift when the laser ablation was used for sample introduction. The calibration of the matrix-element by nebulizing liquid standards showed that the ion signal measured on the peak-tail is directly proportional to the element concentration in the ICP. This indicates that the peak shape is not only stable, but also independent of the peak height. The advantages of this method lie in the easy preparation of calibration standards for quantitative measurements with a laser-ablation system and access to homogeneous standards for materials, that are difficult to homogenize in the solid state. The calibration of the traces is performed relatively to a fixed concentration of the matrix element. Calibrations were carried out for trace concentrations in high purity copper and good recoveries were obtained for high-purity reference standards. Received: 23 February 1998 / Revised: 20 July 1998 / Accepted: 25 July 1998     

Calibration of laser-ablation ICP-MS. Can we use synthetic standards with pneumatic nebulization?

An approach for the determination of trace element concentrations in high purity metals, using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) with a laser-ablation system for direct solid sample introduction after calibration with nebulized liquid standards was made. Due to the inherent differences in the rate of sample introduction with laser-ablation and pneumatic nebulization, a matrix element must be used as an internal standard. This is problematical for elements that have no isotope with a relative abundance of less than 0.1 %, since the ion signals would be too high for direct measurement, and reduction of the ablation rate would compromise the sensitivity for trace elements. Due to the high stability of ICP-unit and mass filter of the instrument used, it was found that the tail of a mass-peak of the matrix element could be used as an internal standard. Therefore, a position at –0.5 amu from the matrix-isotope (e.g. ^62.5Cu in copper samples) was used for internal standardization. The standard deviation of this signal in a period of 2.5 h was 3.6% RSD with no notable drift when the laser ablation was used for sample introduction. The calibration of the matrix-element by nebulizing liquid standards showed that the ion signal measured on the peak-tail is directly proportional to the element concentration in the ICP. This indicates that the peak shape is not only stable, but also independent of the peak height. The advantages of this method lie in the easy preparation of calibration standards for quantitative measurements with a laser-ablation system and access to homogeneous standards for materials, that are difficult to homogenize in the solid state. The calibration of the traces is performed relatively to a fixed concentration of the matrix element. Calibrations were carried out for trace concentrations in high purity copper and good recoveries were obtained for high-purity reference standards. Received: 23 February 1998 / Revised: 20 July 1998 / Accepted: 25 July 1998     

Precision and accuracy of laser ablation-ICP-MS analysis of rare earth elements with external calibration

Solid sample introduction into an ICP-MS by laser ablation is an effective method for the total analysis of rare earth elements (REEs) in soils because no digestion is needed. A problem of the method, however, is the difference of the ablated mass for each laser shot. Therefore, internal standard for the compensation of signal instability, sample preparation, and the calibration method have to be carefully chosen.The analyzed sample was a certified standard provided by IAEA (SOIL-7). The sample was mixed with an internal standard solution and polyethylene (PE), dried, homogenized in a ball-mixer/mill, and pressed to a pellet. For the calibration 5 external standards with increasing REEs concentrations (0.4–20 g/g) as well as a blank were prepared in the same way.The analysis of the pellets was performed on a VG PlasmaQuad II + with a LaserLab unit. The laser ablation-cell was modified to improve the sample particle transportation characteristics and to allow a quicker sample-exchange. The pellets were ablated from six different spots for 60 s each with a laser-repetition rate of 4 Hz.The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves based on 5 standards, were better than 0.995. The concentrations c_A of the 15 REEs in the soil sample were determined with an average relative confidence interval 100(CI)/c_A of 6.95%, as a figure for the precision. This good precision have been obtained with a new laser ablation cell, which will be described in detail.With 2 exceptions (Ce and La) the measured concentrations were within the confidence intervals (CI) of the certified values. Therefore, with respect to accuracy and precision, the presented method offers a convenient way to analyze homogeneous and powdered soil samples for REE's without digestion. Since a good calibration for the REE determination may be obtained, the laser sampling variance (within the sample) is less significant than the analytical variance. Automation of the method is possible by construction of an autosampler based on the modified laser cell.Presented in part at the 1993 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Granada, Spain     

Use of tandem calibration for analyzing steels and alloys by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A method is proposed for plotting calibration graphs by reference analyte solutions (tandem calibration) for the analysis of steels and alloys by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) with spark ablation. The use of spectral lines of analytes and an internal standard with similar values of sums of ionization and excitation energy ensures an excellent repeatability and accuracy of the results of analysis using tandem calibration. A nebulizer chamber for the simultaneous introduction of solutions and solid sample aerosols into inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is designed. The optimal parameters of the introduction of sample aerosols and a method of plasma observation are chosen; the requirements for the choice of the analytical lines of analytes are proposed.     

Use of a single calibration graph for the determination of major elements in geological materials by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with added internal standards

The possibility of internal standardisation in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (LA-ICP-AES) of geological materials by added Sc₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ has been examined to cover the wide range of concentrations of major and minor constituents both in silicate rocks and limestones. A Nd?:?YAG laser (355 nm, 10 Hz, 10 mJ per shot) was used for the ablation of discs obtained by fusion of the mixture of samples and oxides of Sc and Y with lithium tetraborate. The flux/sample ratio was in the range from 6 to 10. The contents of analytes were within the concentration range from hundredths to tens of percentage. The trace elements copper and nickel were studied, too. An ICP emission spectrometer OPTIMA 3000 DV was used for the measurement of Si, Al, Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Fe, Ti, Mn, Ni, Cu, Na and K analyte lines and Y and Sc reference lines in the axial observation mode. The long-term and the short-term repeatability of measurement were improved by employing scandium or yttrium internal references lines for the above analytes from 6% to 1.5% of RSD and from 2.4% to 1.0% of RSD, respectively. The correlation of signals with concentrations was improved in terms of the correlation coefficient r from 0.90–0.97 to 0.98–0.998 and the relative uncertainity on the centroid of concentrations was improved 2–3 times. A single calibration graph covering the concentration range both in silicates and carbonates is possible for each of elements, as the matrix effects are compensated for by internal standards and the excess of Li₂B₄O₇.     

玻璃标样结合硫内标归一定量技术在激光剥蚀-等离子体质谱分析硫化物矿物中的应用

以硬石膏矿物标样中Ca相对于S的灵敏度因子为基准,将玻璃标样中主量和痕量元素相对于Ca的灵敏度因子转换成元素相对于S的灵敏度因子,建立了多玻璃标样结合硫内标归一定量技术分析硫化物单矿物多元素的新方法。利用本方法分析了美国合成多金属硫化物矿物标样MASS-1中20种元素,主量元素分析结果的相对误差小于10%,痕量元素分析结果几乎都落在给定值±不确定度范围内。利用本方法对12个硫化物单矿物分析结果表明,绝大多数主量元素含量测定值的相对误差小于10%,且多数主量元素甚至优于以MASS-1为外标、内标归一定量法及内标校准法分析结果,而痕量元素与MASS-1校准结果较为一致。本方法克服了基体不匹配的问题,能比较准确地定量分析硫化物矿物中的主成分S,可用于定量校准硫化物矿物。     

Use of a single calibration graph for the determination of major elements in geological materials by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with added internal standards

The possibility of internal standardisation in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (LA-ICP-AES) of geological materials by added Sc₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ has been examined to cover the wide range of concentrations of major and minor constituents both in silicate rocks and limestones. A Nd : YAG laser (355 nm, 10 Hz, 10 mJ per shot) was used for the ablation of discs obtained by fusion of the mixture of samples and oxides of Sc and Y with lithium tetraborate. The flux/sample ratio was in the range from 6 to 10. The contents of analytes were within the concentration range from hundredths to tens of percentage. The trace elements copper and nickel were studied, too. An ICP emission spectrometer OPTIMA 3000 DV was used for the measurement of Si, Al, Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Fe, Ti, Mn, Ni, Cu, Na and K analyte lines and Y and Sc reference lines in the axial observation mode. The long-term and the short-term repeatability of measurement were improved by employing scandium or yttrium internal references lines for the above analytes from 6% to 1.5% of RSD and from 2.4% to 1.0% of RSD, respectively. The correlation of signals with concentrations was improved in terms of the correlation coefficient r from 0.90–0.97 to 0.98–0.998 and the relative uncertainity on the centroid of concentrations was improved 2–3 times. A single calibration graph covering the concentration range both in silicates and carbonates is possible for each of elements, as the matrix effects are compensated for by internal standards and the excess of Li₂B₄O₇. Received: 20 June 1998 / Revised: 20 July 1998 / Accepted: 21 September 1998     

THE INTERFACE OF MAIN GROUP AND TRANSITION METAL CLUSTER CHEMISTRY

Abstract

The literature concerning cluster complexes which contain both main group element and transition metal vertices is reviewed. Synthetic methods and general reactivity patterns are summarized. Emphasis is placed on structural. Comparisons of cluster geometries for a wide variety of element combinations. Relationships between these mixed clusters and the main group element clusters known as Zintl ions are discussed.     

Determination of trace elements in zeolites by laser ablation ICP-MS

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using a quadrupole-based mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-QMS) was applied for the analysis of powdered zeolites (microporous aluminosilicates) used for clean-up procedures. For the quantitative determination of trace element concentrations three geological reference materials, granite NIM-G, lujavrite NIM-L and syenite NIM-S, from the National Institute for Metallurgy (South Africa) with a matrix composition corresponding to the zeolites were employed. Both the zeolites and reference materials were fused with a lithium borate mixture to increase the homogeneity and to eliminate mineralogical effects. In order to compare two different approaches for the quantification of analytical results in LA-ICP-MS relative sensitivity coefficients (RSCs) of chemical elements and calibration curves were measured using the geostandards. The experimentally obtained RSCs are in the range of 0.2-6 for all elements of interest. Calibration curves for trace elements were measured without and with Li or Ti as internal standard element. With a few exceptions the regression coefficients of the calibration curves are better than 0.993 with internal standardization. NIM-G granite reference material was employed to evaluate the accuracy of the technique. Therefore, the measured concentrations were corrected with RSCs which were determined using lujavrite reference material NIM-L. This quantification method provided analytical results with deviations of 1-11% from the recommended and proposed values in granite reference material NIM-G, except for Co, Cs, La and Tb. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the determination of the trace element concentration (n = 5) is about 1% to 6% using Ti as internal standard element. Detection limits of LA-ICP-QMS in the lower microg/g range (from 0.03 microg/g for Lu, Ta and Th to 7.3 microg/g for Cu, with the exception of La) have been achieved for all elements of interest. Under the laser ablation conditions employed (lambda: 266 nm, repetition frequency: 10 Hz, pulse energy: 10 mJ, laser power density: 6 x 10(9) W/cm2) fractionation effects of the determined elements relative to the internal standard element Ti were not observed.     

Determination of trace elements in zeolites by laser ablation ICP-MS

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using a quadrupole-based mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-QMS) was applied for the analysis of powdered zeolites (microporous aluminosilicates) used for clean-up procedures. For the quantitative determination of trace element concentrations three geological reference materials, granite NIM-G, lujavrite NIM-L and syenite NIM-S, from the National Institute for Metallurgy (South Africa) with a matrix composition corresponding to the zeolites were employed. Both the zeolites and reference materials were fused with a lithium borate mixture to increase the homogeneity and to eliminate mineralogical effects. In order to compare two different approaches for the quantification of analytical results in LA-ICP-MS relative sensitivity coefficients (RSCs) of chemical elements and calibration curves were measured using the geostandards. The experimentally obtained RSCs are in the range of 0.2-6 for all elements of interest. Calibration curves for trace elements were measured without and with Li or Ti as internal standard element. With a few exceptions the regression coefficients of the calibration curves are better than 0.993 with internal standardization. NIM-G granite reference material was employed to evaluate the accuracy of the technique. Therefore, the measured concentrations were corrected with RSCs which were determined using lujavrite reference material NIM-L. This quantification method provided analytical results with deviations of 1–11% from the recommended and proposed values in granite reference material NIM-G, except for Co, Cs, La and Tb. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the determination of the trace element concentration (n = 5) is about 1% to 6% using Ti as internal standard element. Detection limits of LA-ICP-QMS in the lower μg/g range (from 0.03 μg/g for Lu, Ta and Th to 7.3 μg/g for Cu, with the exception of La) have been achieved for all elements of interest. Under the laser ablation conditions employed (λ: 266 nm, repetition frequency: 10 Hz, pulse energy: 10 mJ, laser power density: 6 × 10⁹ W/cm²) fractionation effects of the determined elements relative to the internal standard element Ti were not observed. Received: 7 April 2000 / Revised: 25 May 2000 / Accepted: 31 May 2000     

A proposed k0 based methodology for neutron activation analysis of samples of non-standard geometry

An internal mono-standard method has been proposed for multi element analysis. This method gives the relative concentration of the elements in a sample of non-standard shape and size. It utilizes an in-situ relative efficiency calibration and hence, does not need the cumbersome procedures, otherwise required to correct for -attenuation in the sample. To validate this method, the relative concentration of elements in IAEA RM's SL-3 and Soil-7 were analyzed with sample amounts ranging from a few milligrams to grams. The samples were counted in different non-specific geometries. The results are in good agreement with the recommended values, suggesting that this methodology could be applied for the analysis of samples of non-standard size and shape, and in principle, for the analysis of large samples.     

Analysis and comparison of glass fragments by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and ICP-MS

The discrimination potential of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is compared with previously reported solution ICP-MS methods using external calibration (EC) with internal standardization and a newly reported solution isotope dilution (ID) method for the analysis of two different glass populations. A total of 91 different glass samples were used for the comparison study; refractive index and elemental composition were measured by the techniques mentioned above. One set consisted of 45 headlamps taken from a variety of automobiles that represents a range of 20 years of manufacturing dates. A second set consisted of 46 automotive glasses (side windows, rear windows, and windshields) representing casework glass from different vehicle manufacturers over several years. The element menu for the LA-ICP-MS and EC-ICP-MS methods include Mg, Al, Ca, Mn, Ce, Ti, Zr, Sb, Ga, Ba, Rb, Sm, Sr, Hf, La, and Pb. The ID method was limited to the analysis of two isotopes each of Mg, Sr, Zr, Sb, Ba, Sm, Hf, and Pb. Laser ablation analyses were performed with a Q switched Nd:YAG, 266 nm, 6 mJ output energy laser. The laser was used in depth profile mode while sampling using a 50 m spot size for 50 sec at 10 Hz (500 shots). The typical bias for the analysis of NIST 612 by LA-ICP-MS was less than 5% in all cases and typically better than 5% for most isotopes. The precision for the vast majority of the element menu was determined generally less than 10% for all the methods when NIST 612 was measured (40 g g^-1). Method detection limits (MDL) for the EC and LA-ICP-MS methods were similar and generally reported as less than 1 g g^-1 for the analysis of NIST 612. While the solution sample introduction methods using EC and ID presented excellent sensitivity and precision, these methods have the disadvantages of destroying the sample, and also involve complex sample preparation. The laser ablation method was simpler, faster, and produced comparable discrimination to the EC-ICP-MS and ID-ICP-MS. LA-ICP-MS can offer an excellent alternative to solution analysis of glass in forensic casework samples.     

High-mass cluster ions of ionic liquids in positive-ion and negative-ion DART-MS and their application for wide-range mass calibrations

Eight ionic liquids (ILs) are subjected to both positive-ion and negative-ion direct analyses in real time (DART) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry (MS). First, their ability to deliver evenly distributed cluster ion series covering a wide m/z range is explored. Then, one of the ILs exhibiting particularly useful cluster ion series in either ion polarity is applied for mass calibration. Using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethide delivers positive cluster ions suitable for mass calibration in the m/z 100–4,000 range and covers the m/z 100–2,000 range in negative-ion DART-MS. The corresponding mass reference lists are provided for either polarity. Furthermore, based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethide, a high-mass record of m/z?>?5,000 for positive-ion DART-MS is presented. The mass calibration procedure is finally validated by application to established standard compounds such as polydimethylsiloxanes, perfluorononanoic acid, and Ultramark 1621, a mixture of hexakis (fluoroalkoxy) phosphazenes. Further proof is presented by consistent exact mass differences between adjacent cluster ions.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for direct analysis of the spatial distribution of trace elements in metallurgical-grade silicon

The spatial distribution and concentration of impurities in metallurgical-grade silicon (MG-Si) samples (97–99% w/w Si) were investigated by use of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The spatial resolution (120 μm) and low limits of detection (mg kg⁻¹) for quality assurance of such materials were studied in detail. The volume-dependent precision and accuracy of non-matrix-matched calibration for quantification of minor elements, using NIST SRM 610 (silicate standard), indicates that LA-ICP-MS is well suited to rapid process control of such materials. Quantitative results from LA-ICP-MS were compared with previously reported literature data obtained by use of ICP-OES and rf-GD-OES. In particular, the distribution of element impurities and their relationship to their different segregation coefficients in silicon is demonstrated. Dedicated to Professor Klaus G. Heumann     

Correlative organelle fluorescence microscopy and synchrotron X-ray chemical element imaging in single cells

X-ray chemical element imaging has the potential to enable fundamental breakthroughs in the understanding of biological systems because chemical element interactions with organelles can be studied at the sub-cellular level. What is the distribution of trace metals in cells? Do some elements accumulate within sub-cellular organelles? What are the chemical species of the elements in these organelles? These are some of the fundamental questions that can be addressed by use of X-ray chemical element imaging with synchrotron radiation beams. For precise location of the distribution of the elements, identification of cellular organelles is required; this can be achieved, after appropriate labelling, by use of fluorescence microscopy. As will be discussed, this approach imposes some limitations on sample preparation. For example, standard immunolabelling procedures strongly modify the distribution of the elements in cells as a result of the chemical fixation and permeabilization steps. Organelle location can, however, be performed, by use of a variety of specific fluorescent dyes or fluorescent proteins, on living cells before cryogenic fixation, enabling preservation of element distribution. This article reviews the methods used for fluorescent organelle labelling and X-ray chemical element imaging and speciation of single cells. Selected cases from our work and from other research groups are presented to illustrate the potential of the combination of the two techniques. Figure

Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence distribution maps of Ca, P and S in yeast cells. Elemental distribution maps (green color scale) were combined with the image of vacuoles labeled with Arg-CMAC (red color scale). The yellow signal of superposed images shows that Ca and P are preferentially located within the vacuole.     

A new internal reference method for activation analysis and its application

A new internal reference method for activation analysis has been developed. The method can be used effectively for special samples in which suitable elements as internal standards are absent and the self-shielding effect can be neglected. In this method, W_b g of element B as an internal reference is added to the sample which contains W_a g of element A to be determined, whereas the comparative standard is prepared by mixing only the element A and B in a known concentration ratio of W _a ^* /W_b. When the sample and comparative standard are irradiated by particles with the same energy distribution, even though both are irradiated separately by particles with different flux, W_a can be determined easily by the following equation. $$W_a = \left( {{{A_R } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{A_R } {A_R^* }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {A_R^* }}} \right)W_a^* $$ where A_g and A_R are count ratios between gamma-rays emitted by two radioactive nuclides produced from elements A and B in the sample and comparative standard, respectively. The usefulness of the present method was examined through the determination of Ti, Cr, Ni and Zr in several commercial aluminium alloys by means of photon activation, and the accuracy and precision of the method were verified.     

Microchemical determination of nine rare earth elements in silicate rocks by cation-exchange preconcentration — Ion-interaction chromatography

Summary A method of applying ion-interaction chromatography to the determination of the rare earth elements in silicate rocks on a 100 to 200 mg sample basis has been developed. The rare earths are first separated as a group from matrices by cation-exchange chromatography in hydrochloric acid-thiocyanate media and isolated in a small, defined volume (3.00 ml). Using fractions of this, on-column concentration of the rare earths on a C-18 bonded phase silica coated with 1-octanesulfonate and a subsequent concentration gradient elution with glycolate (0.05 to 0.35 M) at pH 3.5 allows the respective separation of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Y (100 l aliquot used) and of Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu (2.00 ml aliquot used). Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy elute together, and Ho is not sufficiently well resolved from these middle rare earth elements. The eluted rare earth elements are detected and quantified by post-column reaction with Arsenazo III photometrically, using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 650 nm. The method is shown to be capable of determining nine of the rare earth elements in a variety of international reference rock samples with good precision and accuracy.     

Stable clusters in the condensed state and some possibilities for gas phase clusters

The classical naked cluster ions of the post-transition elements that are stable in solid compounds and their lower charged analogues observed in mixed metal beams reflect the reduced number of good bonding orbitals. New cluster ions of indium that are hypoelectronic (fewer than 2n+2 skeletal bonding electrons) because of distortions or the bonding of heterometal atoms within the clusters are described. A large family of new, orbital-rich clusters of the group III and IV transition metals sheathed by halide are all centered by a wide variety of heteroatoms. Factors in their stability, possible analogous naked cluster targets, and some calculations are considered.