Multi-element analysis by isotope dilution-spark source mass spectrometry (ID-SSMS)

Summary Isotope dilution-spark source mass spectrometry (ID-SSMS) has been applied for the simultaneous quantitative determination of about 35 trace elements in rock samples. A precision and an accuracy of better than 5% is obtained for most elements. Concentrations down to 0.01–0.1 ppm can be precisely determined for many trace elements.The application of ID-SSMS in geochemical and cosmochemical research is particularly interesting when concentrations of many elements are desired (e. g., for element correlations) and low detection limits are needed, or when only small amounts of samples are available.

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Multielement-Analyse mit Isotopenverdünnung-Funkenmassenspektrometrie (ID-SSMS)

     

Discriminative response of surface-confined metalloporphyrin molecules to carbon and nitrogen monoxide

The binding of small gas molecules to metalloporphyrins is of both fundamental scientific and technological interest. It plays a key role in the transport of respiratory gases, catalytic processes in biological systems, and artificial nanostructures for sensing. Here, we present a detailed molecular-level investigation regarding the interaction of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) with metallo-tetraphenylporphyrin (M-TPP, M = Co, Fe) arrays, anchored on a noble metal Ag(111) surface, providing M-TPP species with a distinct saddle-shape conformation. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy experiments reveal that the impact of CO and NO is strikingly different on both species. In the case of CO, the M-TPP core can be dressed by either one or two carbon monoxide ligands, whereby the porphyrin geometric and electronic structure remains nearly unaffected. In contrast, following NO exposure exclusively a mononitrosyl species evolves. The NO axial ligation induces a relaxation of the adsorption-induced molecular deformation and markedly modifies the electronic structure of the porphyrin.     

Eigenstate symmetry probed by biexciton transitions in a single quantum dot

The eigenstate symmetry in CdSe/ZnSe single quantum dots (SQDs) has been studied by low-temperature magnetoluminescence spectroscopy. Regarding both, the fine structure splitting and the polarization properties of the biexciton transition, the influence of exchange and Zeeman interaction on the eigenstate symmetry of the final state of recombination, the ground state of the single exciton, is investigated.     

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Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Quantitative multielement analysis of geochemical and cosmochemical samples using spark source mass spectrometry

Summary Spark source mass spectrometry is a useful method for the chemical analysis of geochemical and cosmochemical samples. The technique is highly sensitive (limit of detection between 0.001 ppm and 0.1 ppm) and allows the simultaneous determination of about 70 major, minor and trace elements. With the help of electrical ion detection and multielement isotope dilution on solid and dissolved samples, a precision of better than ±5 % is obtained for many elements. The measured concentrations are in good agreement with literature data.

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Quantitative Multielementanalyse von geo- und kosmochemischen Proben unter Verwendung der Funken-Massenspektrometrie

Zusammenfassung Die Funken-Massenspektrometrie ist eine nützliche Methode für die chemische Analyse von geochemischen und kosmochemischen Proben. Diese Technik ist sehr empfindlich (die Nachweisgrenze liegt zwischen 0,001 ppm und 0,1 ppm) und ermöglicht die gleichzeitige Bestimmung von ungefähr 70 Haupt-, Neben- und Spurenelementen. Mit Hilfe des elektrischen Ionennachweises und der Multielement-Isotopenverdünnungsmethode an festen und gelösten Proben wird eine Genauigkeit von besser als ±5% für viele Elemente erreicht. Die ermittelten Konzentrationen stimmen gut mit Literaturdaten überein.

     

Progress in multi-ion counting spark-source mass spectrometry (MIC-SSMS) for the analysis of geological samples

Spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS) has experienced important and significant improvements in nearly all analytical features by the use of a multiple ion counting (MIC) system. Two procedures have recently been developed to further increase the analytical capabilities of MIC-SSMS in geochemistry. These are a mathematical correction of interferences, which is often necessary for the ultra trace element analysis of Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf and Y, and the development of an autospark system to hold the total ion beam constant. New analytical data for geological samples, especially international reference materials, are presented using the improved MIC-SSMS technique. The data set consists of high precision and low abundance data for Zr, Nb and Y in depleted reference materials. The MIC-SSMS results are compared with those of conventional SSMS using photoplates for ion detection. The precision of the MIC-SSMS isotope ratio measurements (about 1%) is more than a factor of 3 better than that of conventional SSMS, as demonstrated by analyses of Hawaiian samples. Total uncertainties of MIC-SSMS concentration data including all sources of error are generally between 2 and 5% for concentrations higher than about 0.3 μg/g and about 10% for trace element abundances in the ng/g range.     

Microanalysis of geological samples by laser plasma ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS)

Laser plasma ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS) has been applied for in-situ microanalysis of minerals and inclusions in geo- and cosmochemical samples down to the ng/g concentration level. A great advantage of this method is that at high laser power densities (2×10¹⁰ W/cm²) used, most elements are ionized with about the same efficiency independent of chemistry and mineralogy of the samples. A procedure has been developed which allows quantitative analysis of about 30 trace elements with an accuracy of better than 25%.