Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-01T04:07:03.112Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Direct Imaging of Trace Elements, Isotopes, and Molecules Using Mass Spectrometry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

Richard W. Linton*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry - CB3290, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3290
Get access

Extract

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is based upon the energetic ion bombardment of surfaces resulting in in the emission of sputtered particles, including both atomic and molecular ions. The use of mass spectrometric detection provides a highly versatile and sensitive tool for surface and thin film microanalysis. The scope of the technique includes a diversity of analysis modes including:

  1. 1. Elemental Depth Profiling (dynamic SIMS),

  2. 2. Laterally Resolved Imaging (ion microprobe or ion microscope analysis),

  3. 3. Image Depth Profiling (combination of modes 1 and 2 providing 3-D images),

  4. 4. Molecular Monolayer Analysis and Imaging (static SIMS),

  5. 5. Sputtered Neutral Mass Spectrometry (post-ionization).

Much of the early work in dynamic SIMS centered on depth profiling and imaging techniques, with an emphasis on applications to electronic materials. SIMS has made extensive contributions to semiconductor materials science since the 1960's, including the development of new devices and processes, and in failure analysis.

Type
Compositional Mapping With High Spatial Resolution
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Briggs, D., Seah, M.P., eds., Practical Surface Analysis- Vol.2, Chichester, England: Wiley (1992).Google Scholar
2.Wilson, R.G., Stevie, F.A., Magee, C.W., Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry: A Practical Handbook for Depth Profiling and Impurity Analysis, New York: Wiley (1989).Google Scholar
3.Levi-Setti, R., Chabala, J.M., Wang, Y.-L., Ultramicroscopy 24(1988)97.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Fragu, P., ed., Biology of the Cell 74(1992)1160.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Fister, T.F. et al., Int. J. Mass. Spec. Ion Proc., 143(1995)87111.CrossRefGoogle Scholar