The laser microprobe mass analyzer (LAMMA): a new instrument for biomedical microprobe analysis.

After a short review of the general state of the art of microprobe analysis, recent achievements of a new system, the laser microprobe mass analyzer (LAMMA) are presented. The LAMMA-instrument, which was primarily developed for biomedical purposes, has recently been used on a large variety of specimen, biological, technical, organic and inorganic in nature. Detection limits, mass resolution and reproducibility were improved such that for many elements measurements could be extended down to the subppm range. For bulk analysis, a separate version of the LAMMA-instrument is under development. The examples of LAMMA-applications given in this paper include muscle tissue (physiological cations), uterine tissue (Fe), retina tissues (Na, Mgmg, K, Ca and Ba!), airborne particles (Pb, Fe, Al, Ti, Mn, Ca, Zn), cerebral tissue (Li), and pure cristalline organic materials.