title: Quantitative ion probe microanalysis of biological mineralized tissues.
abstract: The technique of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) combines outstanding sensitivity of element detection with excellent morphological resolution. During the last decade this has been exploited in numerous studies of biomineralizations. The range of microanalytical applications of SIMS in this field has expanded considerably in connection with the recent development of second-generation instrumentation, offering superior ion optics, improved control of intrinsic mass spectra, and suppression of the artifacts of surface charge-up. Factors affecting the detection limits, quantification and spatial resolution have been delineated particularly with regard to in-depth profiling and point analysis. Examples of odontological applications, ranging from element mapping to quantitative diffusion studies, have served to illustrate the potentialities as well as the intricacies of the SIMS technique.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D002713:Chlorine / Q000032:analysis; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005461:Fluorine / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D010758:Phosphorus; D005461:Fluorine; D002713:Chlorine; D008094:Lithium; D012964:Sodium; D002118:Calcium