Study on the detection limits of a new argon gas cluster ion beam secondary ion mass spectrometry apparatus using lipid compound samples.

Rationale: Ar gas cluster ion beam secondary ion mass spectrometry (Ar-GCIB SIMS) has been developed as one of the most powerful tools used for analyzing complex biological materials because of its distinctively high secondary ion yield of large organic molecules. However, for the practical analysis of minor components in complex biological materials, the sensitivity of the technique is still insufficient.

Methods: The detection limits of our original Ar-GCIB SIMS apparatus were investigated by measuring lipid compound samples in positive ion mode.

Peptide dissociation patterns in secondary ion mass spectrometry under large argon cluster ion bombardment.

Rationale: The analysis of organic and biological substances by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has greatly benefited from the use of cluster ions as primary bombarding species. Thereby, depth profiling and three-dimensional (3D) imaging of such systems became feasible. Large Ar(n)(+) cluster ions may constitute a further improvement in this direction.