Estimating in-air micro-PIXE beam conditions from element concentrations in plant obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Knowledge of elemental localization in plants is essential for understanding nutrients and toxic element transport. In-air micro–particle induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) enables multi-elemental mapping of living tissues by detecting characteristic X-rays from trace elements. Unlike electron beam–based methods, micro-PIXE is conducted in air and allows non-destructive analysis of living cells. However, optimizing beam exposure time in advance remains difficult and often increases analysis time. In this study, we estimated optimal observation conditions for in-air micro-PIXE using element concentrations measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Lotus japonicus stems were cultured in solutions containing 0.01–100 mM Cs, Na, Fe, or Zn, and elemental distributions were analyzed by both methods. Fe, Zn, and Cs showed clear concentration-dependent distributions and were successfully mapped by micro-PIXE, whereas Na could not be mapped due to X-ray absorption by the beryllium window. X-ray detection counts showed strong correlations with ICP-MS values, enabling estimation of appropriate irradiation conditions. These results provide practical guidelines for predicting exposure time or element accumulation required for successful mapping, improving the efficiency and accessibility of micro-PIXE for plant element studies.
Language: English
Subfield: Radiation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7144520744
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