Applications of ion beam analysis in biology and medicine, a review

Abstract

The applicability of various ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques for trace elemental and/or isotopic measurements in biology and medicine is demonstrated. Emphasis is placed on particle-induced X-ray emission analysis with macro- and microbeams, i.e. macro-and microPIXE, which allow one to determine trace elements down to the sub-μg/g level (and with high spatial resolution) in small biological samples and thin sections. However, other prompt IBA techniques, which employ light ions of a few MeV and which can advantageously be used in combination with PIXE, are also discussed. Examples of such techniques are nuclear reaction analysis (NRA), in particular particle-induced γ-ray emission analysis (PIGE), and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Charged particle activation analysis (CPAA), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and PIXE-induced X-ray fluorescence (XSQR) are still other IBA techniques which have found some use in the biomedical field. Their potential in this area is addressed. Several examples of applications of the various methods in biological and medical studies are presented, and selected cases, where the inherent characteristics of the techniques were advantageously used, are discussed in some detail.