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NanoSIMS 50L

SIMS Microprobe for Isotopic and Trace Element Analysis at High Spatial Resolution

The NanoSIMS 50L is a unique ion microprobe optimizing SIMS analysis performance at high lateral resolution. It is based on a coaxial optical design of the ion beam and the secondary ion extraction, and on an original magnetic sector mass analyzer with multicollection.
  • Product overview +


    The NanoSIMS 50L delivers simultaneously key performance metrics that can only be obtained individually with any other known instrument or technique:
    • High analysis spatial resolution (down to 50 nanometers)
    • High sensitivity (ppm in element imaging)
    • High Mass Resolution (M/dM),
    • Parallel acquisition of seven masses
    • Fast acquisition (DC mode, not pulsed)
    • Analysis of electrically insulating samples without problem.
    And thanks to recent improvements, isotope ratio reproducibility of a few tenths of permil can now be achieved.

    Extended fields of applications

    Microbiology:

    The NanoSIMS 50L opens new possibilities for coupling phylogenetic identity (with FISH or El-FISH) and metabolic function (using stable isotope labeling) of single cells in studies of mixed microbial communities from the environment.

    Cell biology:
    50nm resolution and isotopic ratio capabilities of the NanoSIMS 50L allow intra-cellular measurement of accumulations and fluxes of molecules labeled with stable isotopes

    Geology and space science:
    The NanoSIMS 50L allows precise isotopic and elemental measurements of deep sub-micron areas, grains or inclusions from interplanetary dust particles, meteorites, and mineral sections. Working in multiple Faraday Cup configuration and with spot size of a few µm, it delivers isotope ratio measurements with precision and external reproducibility down to a few tenths of permil.

    Materials Research:
    Thanks to its high sensitivity at high mass resolution (no mass interference), the NanoSIMS 50L allows trace element (dopant) imaging & quantification with 50nm SIMS lateral resolution, even in electrically insulating materials. All elements except noble gases are accessible, from hydrogen to plutonium.

    The NanoSIMS 50L was originally designed by Pr. G. Slodzian, University of Paris Sud, France.
  • See what the NanoSIMS can do +

  • Documentation & case studies +

  • View recents webinars +

    • Improving the targeting of ASO therapeutic by NanoSIMS sub-cellular imaging

      Friday, February 23, 2024

      Cécile Becquart, post-doctoral fellow at AstraZeneca, presents recent advances in Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs) and the use of NanoSIMS to image and quantify the distribution and accumulation of ASOs within cells. Key take aways include: • Review challenges in terms of delivery of ASOs to specific tissues and inefficient escape from endolysosomal compartments which restrict their use in the clinic • Understand the mechanisms underlying how ASOs enter cells and exit the endolysosomal space • Learn about the specifics NanoSIMS sub-cellular quantitative imaging .
      Duration: 18 minutes
      Click here to view
    • Lithium-ion battery research with NanoSIMS

      Friday, March 1, 2024

      Gina Greenidge, Higher Scientist at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), UK’s National Metrology Institute, presents a study nitrogen fixation in maize leaf chloroplasts, or the role of vitamin B5 on cancer tumor proliferation. Key take aways include: • Review the capabilities of the NanoSIMS for nanoscale chemical mapping in LIB samples • Observe the collocation of fluorine and phosphorus, and the increase in Li, P and F signals for aged LIB samples • Gain insight into LIB anode degradation processes and the challenges that lie ahead for enabling batteries with longer life-time and higher performane .
      Duration: 32 minutes
      Click here to view
    • Unveiling drug targets inside the “black box” of the cell with NanoSIMS

      Wednesday, February 8, 2023

      In this webinar Michael Kurczy discusses the development of the DrugSIMS™ platform. From the original blue sky initiative to embed a NanoSIMS in a pharmaceutical company to the eventual intracellular quantification of nucleic acid based therapeutics.
      Duration: 18 minutes
      Click here to view
    • NanoSIMS Imaging of the Brain in Health and Disease

      Friday, June 3, 2022

      In this webinar, Dr Silvio Rizzoli will present NanoSIMS Imaging of the Brain in Health and Disease.
      Duration : 41 minutes
      Click here to view
    • Subcellular measurements of cell turnover and metabolism with NanoSIMS

      Wednesday, August 31, 2022

      Pr. Steinhauser reports on his investigation of metabolic processes including glucose, lipid and nucleic acid metabolism, and cell turnover with NanoSIMS.
      Duration: 49 minutes
      Click here to view
  • Video +

  • NanoSIMS users around the world +

    Below are links to some of our NanoSIMS Users
    If your site is not listed and you would like to appear on this page, please contact cameca.info@ametek.com.

    Stanford Nano Shared Facilities (SNSF), CA, USA
    NSF provides shared scientific instrumentation, laboratory facilities, and expert staff support to enable multidisciplinary research and educate tomorrow’s scientists and engineers.

    NASA, Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science, Houston TX, USA
    The ARES scientists are dedicated to astromaterials research (meteorites, cosmic and interplanetary dust, solar wind, and lunar rocks), exobiology & organic geochemistry. They use a NanoSIMS 50L to uncover insights on processes of early solar system and stellar evolution.

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, California, USA
    The NanoSIMS at LLNL is used in groundbreaking microbiological research: it helps studying microbial nitrogen and carbon fixation, and carbon cycling, investigating forensic signatures in bacterial spores, vegetative cells, viruses, as well as a range of nuclear materials..

    CalTech Center for Microanalysis, USA
    The Center for Microanalysis at Caltech houses a NanoSIMS 50L and an IMS 7f-GEO, providing expertise for microanalysis of geological, meteoritic and synthetic materials. Research projects carried out at CCM are most varied, ranging from cosmochemistry to experimental studies on climate change, geochronology, in-situ studies of microbial communities, materials science engineering, and more...

    Center for NanoImaging, Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA
    Our mission is to extend multi-isotope imaging mass spectrometry – or MIMS – to new areas of biology and biomedical research, including with human translational studies conducted at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and collaborating medical centers.

    Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
    Funded by the National Science Foundation and ASU, the NanoSIMS lab at ASU is mainly in space sciences, to investigate the chemistry of asteroids and comets.

    Washington University in Saint-Louis, MI, USA
    The Laboratory for Space Sciences at Washington University received the first NanoSIMS in 2000. Research projects cover presolar grains, interplanetary dust particles, meteorite geochemistry etc.

    Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
    EMSL, a national scientific user facility at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been equipped with a NanoSIMS 50L model since 2011.

    Manchester University, School of Materials, UK
    The NanoSIMS 50L is a major component of the Multi-Disciplinary Characterisation Facility, and is applied across a wide range of projects in advanced materials research, geological investigations of interest to the nuclear,oil and gas sectors, as well as the study of extra-terrestrial materials, but also tracing biochemical processes in microbes and plants.

    Open University, UK
    The NanoSIMS 50L lab in Milton Keynes is managed by Dr I.A. Franchi, and used primarily for characterizing fine grained material and cometary dust particles collected in the stratosphere.

    The Department of Materials, University of Oxford, UK
    The CAMECA NanoSIMS 50 is an ultra high resolution chemical imaging facility combining the sensitivity of a dynamic SIMS with a lateral resolution of about 100nm. Our machine was delivered in August 2002 and is used on a very wide range of projects in the analysis of metallic, semiconducting, polymeric and biological materials....

    National Physical Laboratory (NPL), UK
    NPL is home to the National Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry Imaging (NiCE-MSI), which aims to advance the development, understanding and application of the principal mass spectrometry imaging techniques. NPL researchers use the NanoSIMS 50L to support customers in healthcare, life sciences and other industries.

    Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Cosmochemistry Department, Mainz, Germany
    The Cosmochemistry Department consists of several groups of scientists and technical personnel whose research interests and activities span a wide variety of fields in cosmochemical and space sciences. Many abstracts in the astrophysics field, downloadable in pdf format

    Max Planck Institut, Bremen, Germany

    The Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology of Bremen hosts the first NanoSIMS dedicated to environmental microbiology.

    Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW), Warnemünde, Germany
    The NanoSIMS 50L at IOW is applied to a wide range of research fiels from microbiology and medicine to particle analysis and soil science.

    TUM: Technische Universität München, Germany
    Research Department Ecology and Ecosystem Management. Soil is the focal and connecting link between the information, matter and energy cycles of the hydrogeosphere and the atmosphere. Soil organic matter, clay sized particles and iron oxides are the most important reactants in soils building a complex physico-chemical interface. (…)

    Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig, Germany
    Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry.
    What is the role of biogeochemical processes in the functionality of sustainably managed ecosystems? How can stable isotope readings assist the understanding of the fate of chemicals in anoxic environments such as soil-aquifer systems, freshwater and deep-sea sediments and bioreactors?

    University Medical Center Goettingen (UMG), Germany
    The University of Göttingen NanoSIMS was acquired in 2017 to equip the Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodeegneration (BIN).It is mainly applied to  the imaging of specific biological organelles, and thus provides insights into local protein and organelle turnover in a variety of cells and tissues.

    Faculty of Life Science, University of Vienna, Austria
    Inaugurated in February 2010, the NanoSIMS 50L lab is located within the Core Facility for Advanced Isotope Research. Under leadership from Michael Wagner, the Department of Microbial Ecology is one of the world leading center for single cell microbiology and the study of microorganisms in selected ecosystems.

    UPFL: Université Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland
    Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry LGB. Established in 2012, the LBG currently consists of about 15 Senior Scientists, Postdocs, PhD- and Master students working on research projects at the interface between isotope geochemistry, mineralogy and biology.

    LIST, Luxembourg institute of Science and Technology, Luxembourg
    The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a mission-driven Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) that develops advanced technologies and delivers innovative products and services to industry and society.

    Utrecht University, Netherlands
    Since summer 2013 Utrecht University hosts the Dutch national facility for high-resolution in situ isotope and element analysis of natural materials, supporting research in biogeochemistry and (microbial) ecology, paleo-environmental and climate reconstructions, planetary and solid earth sciences.
    > Watch video on NanoSIMS

    Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie (IMPMC), Paris, France
    The IMPMC is particularly notable in its multidisciplinary approach. This means most topics are studied by researchers from different backgrounds—in physics, Earth science or biology. Experimental platforms, technical know-how and scientific expertise are all used to conduct research on the interactions between the living world (including bacteria) and the mineral world.

    Institut Curie, Orsay, France
    Analytical Imaging of the Cell by Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS microscopy). Introduction: "Of the various analytical methods developed in microscopy during the latter half of the century, SIMS imaging is probably one of the most powerful and sophisticated. Originally introduced..." Link to full article.

    Groupe de Physique des Matériaux (GPM), Rouen, France
    The NanoSIMS at GPM supports multidisciplinary projects in the field of health and environment: human exposure to nanoparticles and their dispersion in the environment, interactions of (nano)particles with living organisms in connection with toxicological and cosmetological studies.

    IPREM, Université of Pau, France

    The NanoSIMS 50L at Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physico-Chemistry for Environment and Materials (IPREM) is the first one equipped with the new RF Plasma oxygen ion source. It is mainly used for the localization of metals at catalyst surfaces or the imaging of essential and toxic trace metals in biological cells.

    Chemical Imaging Infrastructure of the Gothenburg University and Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
    The NanoSIMS 50L in Gothenburg is the first of these instruments in Scandinavia. The NanoSIMS is suitable for a wide variety of applications such as grain boundary analysis, characterization of stress corrosion cracking, sub-cellular drug/peptide imaging and nitrogen fixation studies in bacteria.

    Physical Research Laboratory, India
    Known as the cradle of Space Sciences in India, the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) was founded in 1947 by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. As a unit of the Department of Space, Government of India, PRL carries out fundamental research in select areas of Physics, Space & Atmospheric Sciences, Astronomy, Astrophysics & Solar Physics, and Planetary & Geosciences.

    IGGCAS, Beijing, China
    The Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences houses a NanoSIMS 50L in addition to its 2 large-geometry SIMS (IMS 1280 and IMS 1280-HR). The NanoSIMS was acquired to promote research in space sciences and is meant to play a major role in the analysis of lunar samples retrieved by Chinese lunar exploration missions.

    Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
    The NanoSIMS Laboratory was established in 2013 by a cooperative effort between Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Institute of Earth Science of Academia Sinica. Primarily designed to probe the early Solar System by analyzing extraterrestrial and terrestrial samples, the laboratory is also involved in numerous interdisciplinary collaborations with both domestic and international research groups covering cosmo, geo, life and material sciences.

    Kochi Institute for Core Research Sample, JAMSTEC, Japan
    The Isotope Geochemistry Group owns several CAMECA SIMS dedicated to the analysis of isotopes and trace elements in geological, environmental and biological samples to understand water-rock interactions, geologic processes, global & regional geochemical cycles, and limits of subseafloor life.

    Toray Research Center, Japan
    Established in 2018, the NanoSIMS 50 L lab offers analytical service in semiconductor, ceramics, metal and life science areas.

    Centre for Microscopy, Characterization & Analysis, UWA, Perth, Autralia
    Established in 1970, the CMCA provides essential teaching and research infrastructure in ion, electron, laser and light microscopy and microanalysis to universities, goverment of Western Australia and local industry. It is now home to two CAMECA ion probes, the NanoSIMS 50 installed in 2003 and the more recently acquired IMS 1280.
  • Software +

    • WinCurve dataprocessing sofware
      WinCurve

      Specifically developed for CAMECA SIMS instruments, WinCurve offers powerful data processing & visualization capabilities in a user-friendly environment.

      Keep Reading

    • WinImage Software
      WinImage II

      Specifically developed for CAMECA SIMS instruments, WinImage II offers powerful image visualization, processing & printing capabilities under PC-Windows™ Environment.

      Keep Reading

    • APM Software
      APM

      Automated Particle Measurement (APM) is CAMECA software tool allowing fast screening of millions of particles, particle detection and isotopic characterization.

      Keep Reading

  • Scientific Publications +


    An Excel spreadsheet compiling scientific research articles using NanoSIMS data is available for download. The articles are ordered by main applications as below and are easily searchable with Excel word search functions:
    • Planetary Sciences
    • Geology
    • Geochronology
    • Paleobiology / Evolution
    • Atmospheric particles / Aerosols
    • Biomineralization / Paleoclimate
    • Environment / Nanoparticles
    • Soils
    • Plants
    • Environmental Microbiology
    • Microbiome / Microbiology
    • Cell Biology
    • Pharmacology / Cosmetics
    • Materials
    • Methods / Instrumentation
    Click here to download the NanoSIMS scientific articles compilation spreadsheet

    Do not hesitate to contact us at cameca.info@ametek.com if you can not access some pdf files by your own. You are also more than welcome to send us any missing references, pdf and supplements!
  • Upgrade kits +

    PRIMARY COLUMN

    RF-plasma O-: High brightness O- primary ion source
    Replaces the duoplasmatron O- ion source. The higher brightness of the RF-plasma ion source permits to obtain similar O- beam density and lateral resolution as with the Cs+ source.

    D1 5-Slits_NS: Five D1 Aperture Diaphragm Slit
    Objective/immersion lens aperture strip increases the flexibility by increasing the diameter choice from 4 to 5 sizes.

    EXLIE Pre-implant_NS: Extreme low impact energy
    Ultra Low energy (25-500eV) sample bombardment allows pre-implantation/cleaning without consuming top surface of ultrathin samples.

    High Current Column_NS: High current primary ion column
    Allows Larger maximum Cs+ beam current (up to 20nA instead of a few nA).
    Using larger current permits to use multiple FCs instead of EM and improve isotope ratio reproducibility.

    VACUUM

    Pfeiffer Turbo: Replacement of the three turbomolecular pumps
    Replace the three turbomolecular Varian/Agilent pumps by equivalent Pfeiffer models with excellent reliability.

    Load-lock Productivity Enhancement: Replacement of the standard turbopump if the load-lock
    For laboratories requiring unscheduled loadings and fast analysis, the standard 80 l/s turbopump of the load-lock can be replaced by a 300 l/s turbomolecular pump. The time needed to reach 1 E-6mbar in the load-lock is then typically reduced by x3 from ~120 min. to ~40 min.

    MASS ANALYZER

    EM Preamplifier Gen2_NS: Five new EM preamplifier-discriminators
    Improvement of electronic ion pulse amplification for ion counting.
    More reliable settings and adjustments of discriminator/threshold for more reproducible isotopic ratios.

    Internal Multico Gen2_NS: New internal Multicollection
    Improved reliability, less short-circuits and blockages due to moveable cables.

    Low Noise Preamplifier_NS: Multico Geo Faraday : low noise preamplifier for FC#1
    Precise FC-EM isotope ratios.
    Lower noise/background for the Faraday cup resulting in better reproducibility and larger current detection range in FC.

    Multico Triple Faraday_NS: Multicollection triple Faraday
    Three FCs instead of one.
    Permits to measure isotopic ratios in multiple FCs with sub-permil reproducibility, generally recorded with higher (a few nA) and µm spot.

    NMR H/D_NS: Additional NMR probe for Hydrogen
    Stability of low mass spectrum lines.
    A third, dedicated NMR probe is added and improves the stability of analyzer magnetic field for high reproducibility on H ratios.

    IMAGING

    SED_NS: Secondary Electron Detector
    Secondary electron imaging for localization of small particles and good contrast to complement SIMS imaging.

    ELECTRONICS

    32b_Acquisition Board_NS: 32 bits counting board
    Replaces 16bit former version and is necessary for remote control through the internet using Team Viewer.
    No more saturation on SIMS images, faster scanning for less charging problems.

    DATA SYSTEM

    PC automation_NS: PC Windows Control Upgrade
    The SUN system is no more supported and replaced by a PC Windows automation.
    New functions available under PC version.

    Software Version Update_NS: Updated Software version
    Latest PC automation version for removal of problems, new functions, and also required for some upgrades.

    Control Duplication_NS: Duplication of NanoSIMS control
    Control of the instrument from a separate operator room (<15 m), CAMECA designed keypad in both rooms.
    Allows optimized operation comfort (reduced noise, separate T°C control)

    Additional WinImage II_NS: Additional 64bit WinImage II Off-line PC Software Licence
    Image processing of SUN and PC data. Dongle for Multiple users.

    AUTOMATION

    DUO Auto Valve_NS: Automation of Duoplasmatron leak valve
    Allows closing the leak valve at the end of unattended acquisition when using the duoplasmatron for longer use of duo source between dismounting for cleaning.

    Full MDA_NS: Aperture and Hexapole Automation
    Automation of slits & apertures for improvement of reproducibility, access by lower level users, chaining of cleaning/acquisition, comfort of use. 

    SAMPLE HOLDERS, SHUTTLES & TRANSFER

    Sample-holders_Shuttles_NS: List of the sample-holders and the shuttles available at this link.
    Please contact the after-sales service for orders.

    Magnetic Transfer Rod:  Two magnetic transfer rods
    Transfer of the shuttle with its sample holder from the load-lock onto the analysis stage.

    You may also check the software versions available for your instrument.

    Don't hesitate to contact your local agent or the CAMECA sales department for more information.