Matrix effects on the relative sensitivity factors measured by laser microprobe mass spectrometry

• Published in: International journal of mass spectrometry and ion processes 1993-08, Vol.127, p.85-93
• Main Authors: Bate, D.J., Leake, J.A, Matthews, L.J., Wallach, E.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Inorganic chemistry and origins of life; Kinetics and mechanism of reactions; Laser microprobe mass spectrometry; Matrix effects; Relative sensitivity factors
• ISSN: 0168-1176; 1873-2801
• DOI: 10.1016/0168-1176(93)87081-3

Analyses using a LIMA-2A laser microprobe of Fe 3Al 3 at.% X and metal oxide samples are reported. The results are compared to the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) model in which the relative sensitivity factor (RSF) is predicted to depend on the ionisation potential. The RSF depended on the ionisation energy for metals in Fe 3Al 3 at.% X as expected, but not for non-metals. The agreement for non-metals was enhanced if they were plotted at a corrected ionisation energy given by the ionisation energy of the element in the same row of the periodic table with the electron configuration (noble gas+s 2+one electron) i.e. for silicon for corrected ionisation energy is that of aluminium. A possible explanation of this is that the metallic sea of electrons in the Fe 3Al has altered the electronic state of the dopant element X if X is not itself a metal. Analyses on metal oxides with differing oxidation states showed that the RSF depended on the electronic state of the metal. Thus lending weight to the hypothesis that the production of ions from a sample depends on the electronic structure of the element in the matrix rather than in isolated form.