Simultaneous dual-element analyses of refractory metals in naturally occurring matrices using resonance ionization of sputtered atoms

The combination of secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) and resonance ionization spectroscopy (RIS) has been shown to be a powerful tool for the detection of low levels of elemental impurities in solids. Drawbacks of the technique have been the laser-repetition-rate-limited, low duty cycle of the analysis and the fact that RIS schemes are limited to determinations of a single element. These problems have been addressed as part of an ongoing program to explore the usefulness of RIS/SNMS instruments for the analysis of naturally occurring samples. Efficient two-color, two-photon (1+1) resonance ionization schemes were identified for Mo and for four platinum-group elements (Ru, Os, Ir, and Re). Careful selection of the ionization schemes allowed Mo or Ru to be measured simultaneously with Re, Os, or Ir, using two tunable dye lasers and an XeCl excimer laser. Resonance frequencies could be switched easily under computer control, so that all five elements can be rapidly analyzed. In situ measurements of these elements in metal grains from five meteorites were conducted. From the analyses, estimates of the precision and the detection limit of the instrument were made. The trade-off between lower detection limits and rapid multielement RIS analyses is discussed

Three-color resonance ionization spectroscopy of Zr in Si

It has been proposed that the composition of the solar wind could be measured directly by transporting ultrapure collectors into space, exposing them to the solar wind, and returning them to earth for analysis. In a study to help assess the applicability of present and future postionization secondary neutral mass spectrometers for measuring solar wind implanted samples, measurements of Zr in Si were performed. A three-color resonant ionization scheme proved to be efficient while producing a background count rate limited by secondary ion signal (5×10^(−4) counts/laser pulse). This lowered the detection limit for these measurements to below 500 ppt for 450,000 averages. Unexpectedly, the Zr concentration in the Si was measured to be over 4 ppb, well above the detection limit of the analysis. This high concentration is thought to result from contamination during sample preparation, since a series of tests were performed that rule out memory effects during the analysis

Three-color resonance ionization spectroscopy of Zr in Si

It has been proposed that the composition of the solar wind could be measured directly by transporting ultrapure collectors into space, exposing them to the solar wind, and returning them to earth for analysis. In a study to help assess the applicability of present and future postionization secondary neutral mass spectrometers for measuring solar wind implanted samples, measurements of Zr in Si were performed. A three-color resonant ionization scheme proved to be efficient while producing a background count rate limited by secondary ion signal (5 x 10{sup {minus}4} counts/laser pulse). This lowered the detection limit for these measurements to below 500 ppt for 450,000 averages. Unexpectedly, the Zr concentration in the Si was measured to be over 4 ppb, well above the detection limit of the analysis. This high concentration is thought to result from contamination during sample preparation, since a series of tests were performed that rule out memory effects during the analysis

Resonance ionization of sputtered atoms-progress toward a quantitative technique

The combination of RIMS and ion sputtering has been heralded as the ideal means of quantitatively probing the surface of a solid. While several laboratories have demonstrated the extreme sensitivity of combining RIMS with sputtering, less effort has been devoted to the question of accuracy. Using the SARISA instrument developed at Argonne National Laboratory, a number of well-characterized metallic samples have been analyzed. Results from these determinations have been compared with data obtained by several other analytical methods. One significant finding is that impurity measurements down to ppb levels in metal matrices can be made quantitative by employing polycrystalline metal foils as calibration standards. This discovery substantially reduces the effort required for quantitative analysis since a single standard can be used for determining concentrations spanning nine orders of magnitude

Trace analysis of osmium and rhenium by resonance ionization mass spectrometry of sputtered atoms

The quantitative trace analysis of Os and Re was investigated using the surface analysis by resonance ionization of sputtered atoms (SARISA) apparatus developed at Argonne National Laboratory. SARISA samples the large fraction of sputtered neutral atoms and utilizes multiphoton resonance ionization to suppress atomic and molecular interferences. Matrix effects are considerably reduced for high ionization occurs in the gas phase and is independent of the physical properties of the substrate. Synthetic metal standards and iron meteorites of known bulk Os concentration were used to establish a calibration curve for Os to test the linearity of the Os{sup +} signal over a large range in concentration. 7 refs., 1 fig

Measurement of 30-Centimeter Ion Thruster Discharge Cathode Erosion

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76209/1/AIAA-22982-649.pd

Analytical validation of a next generation sequencing liquid biopsy assay for high sensitivity broad molecular profiling

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis is being incorporated into cancer care; notably in profiling patients to guide treatment decisions. Responses to targeted therapies have been observed in patients with actionable mutations detected in plasma DNA at variant allele fractions (VAFs) below 0.5%. Highly sensitive methods are therefore required for optimal clinical use. To enable objective assessment of assay performance, detailed analytical validation is required. We developed the InVisionFirst™ assay, an assay based on enhanced tagged amplicon sequencing (eTAm-Seq™) technology to profile 36 genes commonly mutated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other cancer types for actionable genomic alterations in cell-free DNA. The assay has been developed to detect point mutations, indels, amplifications and gene fusions that commonly occur in NSCLC. For analytical validation, two 10mL blood tubes were collected from NSCLC patients and healthy volunteer donors. In addition, contrived samples were used to represent a wide spectrum of genetic aberrations and VAFs. Samples were analyzed by multiple operators, at different times and using different reagent Lots. Results were compared with digital PCR (dPCR). The InVisionFirst assay demonstrated an excellent limit of detection, with 99.48% sensitivity for SNVs present at VAF range 0.25%-0.33%, 92.46% sensitivity for indels at 0.25% VAF and a high rate of detection at lower frequencies while retaining high specificity (99.9997% per base). The assay also detected ALK and ROS1 gene fusions, and DNA amplifications in ERBB2, FGFR1, MET and EGFR with high sensitivity and specificity. Comparison between the InVisionFirst assay and dPCR in a series of cancer patients showed high concordance. This analytical validation demonstrated that the InVisionFirst assay is highly sensitive, specific and robust, and meets analytical requirements for clinical applications

Nothing Lasts Forever: Environmental Discourses on the Collapse of Past Societies

The study of the collapse of past societies raises many questions for the theory and practice of archaeology. Interest in collapse extends as well into the natural sciences and environmental and sustainability policy. Despite a range of approaches to collapse, the predominant paradigm is environmental collapse, which I argue obscures recognition of the dynamic role of social processes that lie at the heart of human communities. These environmental discourses, together with confusion over terminology and the concepts of collapse, have created widespread aporia about collapse and resulted in the creation of mixed messages about complex historical and social processes