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Method for studying a sample of material using a heavy ion induced mass spectrometer source

Patent ·
OSTI ID:321287
A heavy ion generator is used with a plasma desorption mass spectrometer to provide an appropriate neutron flux in the direction of a fissionable material in order to desorb and ionize large molecules from the material for mass analysis. The heavy ion generator comprises a fissionable material having a high n,f reaction cross section. The heavy ion generator also comprises a pulsed neutron generator that is used to bombard the fissionable material with pulses of neutrons, thereby causing heavy ions to be emitted from the fissionable material. These heavy ions impinge on a material, thereby causing ions to desorb off that material. The ions desorbed off the material pass through a time-of-flight mass analyzer, wherein ions can be measured with masses greater than 25,000 amu. 3 figs.
Research Organization:
Lockheed Martin Spec Component
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-92AL73000
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5,872,824/A/
Application Number:
PAN: 8-693,507
OSTI ID:
321287
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (2)

Plasma desorption mass spectrometry: coming of age journal July 1988
252Cf-Plasma desorption mass spectrometry using polymer surfaces journal May 1988