Standardization of the Isotope Ratio Data

An ICP-MS instrument with an MC array system can easily improve the precision of the isotope ratio measurements. However, stability of the signal intensity profile, correction for isotope fractionation during LA and ionization, and correction of the mass bias effect using a matrix-matched calibration standard are also very important for improving the trueness of the isotopic data. 

I am grateful to Dr. J. Andy Milton (National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, UK) for critical reading of the original manuscript and much technical advice. This work was partly supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japan, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan. 

Walczyk, T. (2004) TIMS versus multicollector-ICP-MS coexistence or struggle for survival . Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 378, 229-231. 

and Houk, R.S. (1996) Fundamental aspects of ion extraction in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Spectrochim. Acta B, 51, 779-815. 

Becker, J.S. (2007) Inorganic Mass Spectrometry Principles and Applications, Wdey-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim. 

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