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Spark ionization
Introduction
Spark ionization (also known as spark source ionization(deprecated)) is a method used to produce gas phase ions from a solid sample. The prepared solid sample is vaporized and partially ionized by an intermittent discharge or spark. [1] This technique is primarily used in the field of mass spectrometry. When incorporated with a mass spectrometer the complete instrument is referred to as a spark ionization mass spectrometer or as a spark source mass spectrometer (SSMS).[2]
Typically samples are physically incorporated into two conductive electrodes (usually either carbon or silver) between which a high-voltage arc is produced, ionizing the material at the tips of the electrodes. If metals are being analyzed the sample may serve as an electrode. Mass analyzers are typically Mattauch-Herzog geometry, and use either photosensitive plates for ion detection or linear channeltron detector arrays.
References
- ↑ IUPAC gold book definition
- ↑ H. E. Beske, A. Hurrle and K. P. Jochum (1981). “Part I. Principles of spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS)”. Fresenius’ Journal of Analytical Chemistry. 309 (4): 258–261. doi:10.1007/BF00488596. Unknown parameter
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