Postionization of Laser-Desorbed Organic and Inorganic Compounds in a Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer

Abstract

A new time-of-flight mass spectrometer for UV-excimer-laser desorption of neutrals, followed by resonant - or nonresonant postionization with a second excimer laser or excimer-dye-laser combination is described. The advantages of the technique are discussed and the performance of the instrument is demonstrated for a number of nonvolatile organic compounds.