Fabrication of Reference Materials

2 Fabrication of Reference Materials The effectiveness of the RSF method for SIMS quantification hinges critically on the quality of the matrix-matched reference material (internal standard) used. 

Fabrication of reference materials, whether for elemental or for molecular studies, are typically carried out via  

Effective solid-state solution chemistiy. This pertains to the fabrication of bulk reference materials as used in Dynamic SIMS as well as to the fabrication of surface reference materials as used in Static SIMS 

Implantation of prespecified elements (implanted as ions) into stable solid substrates able to lock in the element of interest over long periods of time (thermally driven diffusion and/or segregation must be minimal) 

Use of preexisting homogeneous materials that have been specifically prepared for SIMS and have been well characterized by one or more of the other applicable analytical techniques 

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Ineffective characterization of the concentration of the element/molecules present within the reference material/s before its use as a reference material (fabrication of reference materials is covered in Section 5.4.3.2). 

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