ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL ANALYSIS BY FOURIER-TRANSFORM LASER MICROPROBE MASS-SPECTROMETRY WITH EXTERNAL ION-SOURCE

Laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LMMS) is a technique for local ana lysis of inorganic and organic constituents in the mu m range. This pa per will focus on selected applications. First of all, element detecti on is illustrated by data from a 50-nm TiW layer on silicon and by the detection of residual Cr on HPLC column packing material. Speciation capabilities of LMMS are demonstrated on pure substances and on a coat ed neo-ceramic. Finally, the feasibility of organic analysis is shown in the case of a biologically active compound and dyed cloth fibres.