The New Generation of Resonant Laser Ionization Mass Spectrometers: Becoming Competitive for Selective Atomic Ultra-Trace Determination?

A critical assessment of the present status of resonant laser ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) as a specialized analytical technique for the field of atomic ultra-trace determination is attempted and a comparison with established mass spectrometric methods is made. Within the last years RIMS on atomic species has rapidly developed towards becoming a versatile experimental technique, in particular addressing those applications that require high selectivity in respect of isobaric or isotopic interferences. This progress is mainly based on the advent of easy-to-handle tunable solid-state laser systems for both pulsed and continuous operation, which are used in combination with modern compact mass spectrometers. The general basics, analytical potential and the wide range of applicability of these modern RIMS instruments are outlined and investigations on stable and radioactive ultra-trace isotopes are discussed as illustrative examples. These examples concern a variety of analytical applications in alkali, alkaline earth or noble gas elements as well as in lanthanides, actinides and technetium, covering fields of fundamental as well as applied research in environmental protection, geology and geochronology, biomedical and life sciences.