Drivers behind geo- and 
     cosmochemical analysis
 Desire to analyze sub-
 nanogram quantities of 
 implanted solar wind, 
 returned cometary 
 material, dust in Antarctic 
 ice, etc.
    Analytic equipment: SIMS
 Secondary ion mass spectrometer
 Pros: Ideal for in situ analysis, quasi non-
 destructive, high spatial resolution, high mass 
 resolution, for some elements ppt detection 
 limits
 Cons: sample in ultra-high vacuum, requires 
 perfect surface for ppt analysis, matrix effects, 
 slow, and $
   Analytic equipment: ICP-MS
 Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer
 Pros: ppq detection limits, can work in situ or 
 analyze digests, samples at atmospheric P, 
 matrix insensitive, fast, relatively inexpensive
 Cons: destructive, requires more material than 
 SIMS, prone to blank contamination during 
 sample preparation, may require elemental pre-
 concentration
     Solution ICP-MS
        Instrumental limits: ICP-MS
  Sensitivity:                 450,000 cps ppb-1
  Detection limit:             1 cps
  Consumed mass:               2 grams
  Absolute mass of detected material: 4-5 
  femtograms (10-15g)
  Dilution factor (solution/solid ratio): 1,000
  Hence in 2 g of solution, only 2 mg of solid 
  translates to minimum detectable concentration 
                        -1
  of 4-5 nanograms g  (ppt)