Recent PIXE analysis applied to bio-medical and environmental fields in Japan

The distribution of minor and trace elements in biological samples is very informative for bio-medical and environmental research. Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis is a powerful tool for this subject since it can analyze many elements in samples non-destructively at high sensitivity and, with an advantage of micro-beam scanning capability. Recent studies in Japan on the application of PIXE analysis to these fields are introduced in this pape

Introduction of PIXE anallysis system in National Institute of Radiological Sciences

An electrostatic accelerator, Tandetron (Model 4117MC, High Voltage Engineering Europe Co.) was installed in National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) for PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) analysis in 1999. The accelerating voltage is 0.4 to 1.7MV, and the maximum beam current is 5microA at 3.4MeV. This system has three beam ports for different types of PIXE analysis, conventional, micro-beam and in-air. Normal PIXE line has two types of X-ray detecting device, Si (Li) and CdZnTe detectors detectable for elements from Na (Z=11) to U (Z=92). Fifteen samples can semi automatically be measured at one time with the optical beam size from 0.5 to 2.0 mm at 100 nA of the beam current. A quadruple triplet magnet (Model OM2000, Oxford Micro beams, Ltd.) attached to the other beam port produces a proton micro-beam of the square shape less than 1micron x 1micron. Micro-beam scanning PIXE analysis is carried out with this beam at 50pA current and scanning area up to 2.0mm square. The in-air PIXE analysis is performed using the third beam port.In this paper, we introduce micro-PIXE scanning system showing the ability to draw elemental maps in a spatial resolution of about 1 µm with analyses of fish scale, fish otolith, crocus pollen and micro organisms. Fine ring structure of a fish scale was observed using elemental mapping with proton micro-beam scanning. Pollen was analyzed as one example of single cell to demonstrate the elemental distribution. Fish scale and otolith seem to be a kind of time recorder like tree rings. And the elemental composition reflects the living condition. Therefore, fish scale and otolith are possible to be used as a biological indicator.3rd International Symposium on Nuclear Analytical Chemistry (NAC-III

Imaging of elemental distribution in the small area of biological samples- micro-PIXE analysis

Abstract Particle Induced X-ray Emission(PIXE)analysis is one of the analytical methods for elements. PIXE has high sensitivity, multi-elemental and non-destructive characteristics and the advantage of micro-beam scanning ability on the sample surface. In 1999, micro-beam scanning PIXE system was installed at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS). The system allowed multi elemental mapping on 2mm x 2mm areas of small samples such as fish scales, small fish eyes, pollen etc. with a special resolution of about 1mu m with accelerated proton micro-beams produced by an electrostatic accelerator, Tandetron (Model 4117MC, High Voltage Engineering Europe Co.) and a micro-beam scanning system (Model OM2000, Oxford Micro Beams, Ltd.). Fine ring structure of a fish scale was observed with P and Ca maps. Pollen was examined to ability of the system to draw elemental distribution maps of singles cell. The distribution of elements in a thin section of Medaka eye was investigated in connection with Scanning Transmission Ion Microscopy (STIM)

Introduction of micro-PIXE analysis system in NIRS

The 7 th International Conference on Nuclear Analytical Methods in the Life Scienc