Application and field test of a mobile thermal desorption - single photon ionization - ion trap mass spectrometer (TD-SPI-ITMS) for trace detection of security relevant substances

Elisabeth Schramm; Thomas Heindl; Jasper Hölzer; Alexander McNeish; Michael Puetz; Hermann Ries; Patricia Schall; Rasmus Schulte-Ladbeck; Rainer Schultze; Martin Sklorz; Gerd Spieker; Roman Trebbe; Andreas Ulrich; Jochen Wieser; Ralf Zimmermann

doi:10.1117/12.818475

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5 May 2009 Application and field test of a mobile thermal desorption - single photon ionization - ion trap mass spectrometer (TD-SPI-ITMS) for trace detection of security relevant substances

Elisabeth Schramm, Thomas Heindl, Jasper Hölzer, Alexander McNeish, Michael Puetz, Hermann Ries, Patricia Schall, Rasmus Schulte-Ladbeck, Rainer Schultze, Martin Sklorz, Gerd Spieker, Roman Trebbe, Andreas Ulrich, Jochen Wieser, Ralf Zimmermann

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Proceedings Volume 7306, Optics and Photonics in Global Homeland Security V and Biometric Technology for Human Identification VI; 730611 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.818475
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2009, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The objective of this accomplished project funded by the German BMBF was to develop a single photon ionization ion trap mass spectrometer (SPI-ITMS) for detection of security relevant substances in complex matrices at low concentrations. The advantage of such a soft ionization technique is a reduction of target ion fragmentation allowing identification of signals from complex matrices and enabling MS/MS capability. To obtain low detection limits, the applied photon energy has to be below the ionization potential (IP) of the bulk matrix components. Therefore, photon energies between 8 eV (155 nm) and 12 eV (103 nm) are necessary which was achieved with newly developed electron beam excimer lamps (EBEL). They generate light at different wavelengths depending on the selected rare gas emitting wavelengths adapted to the analyzed substances. So, e.g. with a krypton-EBEL with 8.4 eV photon energy most narcotics can be ionized without notable fragmentation. Due to their higher IPs, EBEL with higher photon energy have to be used for most explosives. Very low false-positive and false-negative rates have been achieved using MS/MS studies. First field tests of a demonstrator provided the proof of principle.

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Elisabeth Schramm, Thomas Heindl, Jasper Hölzer, Alexander McNeish, Michael Puetz, Hermann Ries, Patricia Schall, Rasmus Schulte-Ladbeck, Rainer Schultze, Martin Sklorz, Gerd Spieker, Roman Trebbe, Andreas Ulrich, Jochen Wieser, and Ralf Zimmermann "Application and field test of a mobile thermal desorption - single photon ionization - ion trap mass spectrometer (TD-SPI-ITMS) for trace detection of security relevant substances", Proc. SPIE 7306, Optics and Photonics in Global Homeland Security V and Biometric Technology for Human Identification VI, 730611 (5 May 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.818475

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