Double optical resonance mass selective detection of aromatic molecules in a supersonic molecular beam

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Appl. Opt.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.26.003573· OSTI ID:6253274

Syage, J A; Wessel, J E

Optical excitation followed by ion mass detection in a supersonic molecular beam can offer unusually high levels of selectivity for detection of trace concentrations of material in the atmosphere. We describe recent work involving two-color excitation of aromatic molecules in a supersonic molecular beam, time-of-flight mass spectrometer. It is shown how double resonance excitation in cold molecules can provide two very selective stages of optical selectivity, further augmented by single mass detection. Three applications are described: (1) Two-color excitation to higher excited electronic states is illustrated for final states above and below the ionization potential. (2) Stimulated emission pumping is shown to allow selective identification using ion dip detection. (3) Resonance ion dissociation is demonstrated as a means for obtaining double optical and double mass selectivity.

• Research Organization: Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 92957, Los Angeles, California 90009
• OSTI ID: 6253274
• Journal Information: Appl. Opt.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Opt.; (United States) Vol. 26:17; ISSN APOPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102* -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
440300 -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
AROMATICS
BEAMS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DETECTION
DOUBLE RESONANCE METHODS
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
FLUID FLOW
IONIZATION
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MOLECULAR BEAMS
OPTICAL PUMPING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOTOIONIZATION
PUMPING
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RESONANCE IONIZATION MASS SPECTROSCOPY
RYDBERG STATES
SPECTROSCOPY
SUPERSONIC FLOW
TIME-OF-FLIGHT METHOD
TRACE AMOUNTS