Abstract

This book was triggered by the success story of sector field mass spectrometry in elemental and isotopic analysis from the early days when the first mass spectrum of Ne was presented a hundred years ago. The outstanding and unique features of sector field mass spectrometry - high sensitivity, high mass resolution and simultaneous multiple ion detection - paved the way for its successful and increasing application in different fields of science.

Written, compiled and edited by worldwide renowned experts with profound expertise in sector field mass spectrometry related to elemental and isotopic analysis, this book is intended to provide deep insight into the topic along with fundamental knowledge about elemental and isotopic analysis. Aimed at scientists in the field of natural and life sciences, instrument manufacturers, practitioners and graduate students, this book provides solid information about the methodological background and analytical capabilities of sector field mass spectrometry.

A detailed description of peculiarities and an overview of the most relevant applications making use of specific techniques using sector field mass analysers (ICP-MS, GDMS, TIMS, SIMS and IRMS) are given, including a presentation of the currently available commercial instruments. This approach guarantees that readers are thoroughly introduced to and familiarized with the fascinating inter- and transdisciplinary field of sector field mass spectrometry.

Norbert Jakubowski studied physics at the University of Duisburg/Essen and completed his PhD in physics at the University of Hohenheim. He was a senior scientist at the Institute for Analytical Sciences, Dortmund and Berlin (from 1983 to 2009) and is now Head of BAM's Division I.1 Inorganic Chemical Analysis and Reference Materials (since July 2009). His research interests include inorganic trace and ultra trace analysis of liquids and solids by use of ICP-MS and GD-MS, elemental speciation analysis and development of elemental tags for quantitative detection of biomolecules. He has received awards including the Alan Date Memorial Award from VG Elemental, Surrey, GB (1990), Zimmer International Scholar from University of Cincinnati, USA (2005) and a Waters Symposium Award for Pioneers in ICP-MS (2006). Thomas Prohaska is professor for analytical chemistry at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU). He studied Chemistry at the Vienna University of Technology, received his PhD with summacum laude in 1995 and became scientific researcher at the BOKU Vienna to built up a laboratory for elemental trace analysis. From 1998 to 2000 he was researcher at the EC-joint research center IRMM in Belgium. Peter H. Roos studied biology at the Ruhr-University Bochum(Germany) with a focus on plant biochemistry. After his PhD thesis he turned towards biochemical processes in animals and humans (Universities of Dusseldorf, Aachen and Bochum) and focused his research on effects of toxic compounds in mammals and on carcinogenesis. He is currently lecturer in biochemistry and leader of the Molecular Toxicology group at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (Dortmund).