title: Spatially resolved ultra-trace analysis of elements combining resonance ionization with a MALDI-TOF spectrometer.
abstract: A combined setup for spatially resolved mass analysis of trace amounts of elements and macromolecules is presented. Using a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, a laser spectroscopic setup for resonant ionization of neutral atoms has been implemented. This allows for an efficient and selective detection of trace elements by means of resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS). The instrumental scheme is described, and methodological developments are presented. In a first application pure, laser desorption/ionization with TOF-MS was used to measure mass distributions of cosmic nanodiamonds. For further applications regarding the spatially resolved ultra-trace analysis of elements in solid samples, an implanted target was used to characterize both laser desorption/ionization and laser desorption/resonance ionization for the detection of trace elements within. A perspective of the setup is given and future investigations are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Staudingerweg 7, 55128 Mainz, Germany. jmaul@uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maul
authors.forename: Ilia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Strachnov
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eberhardt
authors.forename: Sergej
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karpuk
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Passler
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Trautmann
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wendt
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huber