While "ultimate resolution" is the featured specification, the higher current density benefits all analyses by enabling faster analyses, improving low impact energy imaging depth profiling, and lowering detection limits. For example, bacterial analyses with 100 nm lateral resolution can be performed at least 2.5 times faster with the NanoSIMS-HR (5 pA vs. 2 pA for 50L; Fig. &). The majority of published papers do not use the ultimate resolution of the NanoSIMS 50 or 50L but rather a lower-resolution, higher-current primary ion beam setting that allows faster analyses, lower detection limits, and generally more straight forward operation. One notable point is that secondary electron imaging, which can be used with the Cs + ion source for navigation and feature identification, can be very poor at the very low primary current setting (~0.2 pA) necessary to achieve the ultimate resolution.