Surface and in-depth analysis of biological and organic materials by ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS).

In recent years, new surface analytical techniques such as auger electron spectroscopy (AES), secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), and ionscattering spectroscopy (ISS) have been developed. Some of these techniques have been used for the analysis of biological and organic materials with moderate success due to the problems inherent in the nature of these samples. The preparative techniques also complicate the application of many instrumental methods. Detailed studies to characterize fish scales taken from different environments, structural investigations on organo-metallic complexes, and analysis of human hair are presented to demonstrate the usefulness of ion scattering spectroscopy.