3. Elemental analysis

This aspect of mass spectrometry mostly concerns techniques used for inorganic samples. The synthesis, investigation and improvement of new materials (metals, glasses, ceramics, composites...) are of continuing interest in widely varying fields. Often the addition of trace elements can modify their properties in substantial ways.

The difficulties inherent to the majority of these analyses are twofold:

• the quantitative analysis generally requires both exceptional care as a result of the great difference in response...