Laser Mass Spectrometry

Jiin-Wu Chai; Gerald Rhodes; Jon T. Meek; James P. Reilly

doi:10.1117/12.936249

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19 October 1983 Laser Mass Spectrometry

Jiin-Wu Chai, Gerald Rhodes, Jon T. Meek, James P. Reilly

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Proceedings Volume 0426, Laser-Based Ultrasensitive Spectroscopy and Detection V; (1983) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.936249
Event: 27th Annual Technical Symposium, 1983, San Diego, United States

Abstract

The conjunction of laser induced molecular ionization with mass spectrometry is particularly fortuitous since it enables us to learn more about the former phenomenon by exploiting the latter technique while at the same time we may be able to improve the latter technique by exploiting some of the unique properties of the former phenomenon. One of the most significant features is the potential impact that laser ionization mass spectrometry may have in analytical chemistry. In order to better measure this, we have investigated the ionization efficiency of a variety of organic compounds. The combination of a capillary column gas chromatograph with a laser ionization mass spectrometer is found to be an ultrasensitive and selective method of chemical analysis. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons can be detected at the multifemtogram level with parts per trillion sensitivity. In some cases previously unresolvable isomers are readily distin-guished. Complementary laser photoelectron experiments have been conducted. While these were originally designed to elucidate ionization and mass spectral fragmentation mechanisms, they are now generating a vast array of new ion spectroscopic data. Our recent results in the previously unexplored area of UV laser induced surface ionization are discussed and their relevance to mass spectrometry is considered.

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Jiin-Wu Chai, Gerald Rhodes, Jon T. Meek, and James P. Reilly "Laser Mass Spectrometry", Proc. SPIE 0426, Laser-Based Ultrasensitive Spectroscopy and Detection V, (19 October 1983); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.936249

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