Californium-252 plasma desorption with Fourier-transform mass spectrometry

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6616413

Loo, J A

Two techniques with unique advantages for characterizing large molecules are Californium-252 plasma desorption, with its unusual capability to ionize involatile compounds (molecular weights to 34,000 daltons), and Fourier-transform mass spectrometry, with it multichannel detection advantage, unusually high mass resolution, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) capabilities. This thesis presents results demonstrating that plasma desorption with a 50 microCurie Californium-252 source can indeed take full advantage of several powerful features of Fourier-transform mass spectrometry and is a viable alternative ionization source for this instrument. Ion accumulation times, trapping voltages, and two source configurations are explored and optimized. Various sample preparation techniques such as the use of a nitrocellulose substrate and the adduct, glutathione, are utilized with the system to produce ions have 2000 daltons. Fragmentation is minimal relative to molecular ion abundances, but fragment ions detected are indicative of the molecular structure. Positive, and in some cases, negative ion spectra with relatively abundant molecular ions are obtained for a variety of peptides, dyes, bioinorganic compounds, a cyclic saccharide (cyclodextrin), and a synthetic unprotected dinucleotide. In a radiation degradation study, spectra for an electron beam resist used for microlithography, poly(butene-1 sulfone), show structural peaks that are inconsistent with a conventional depolymerization mechanism. Finally, the experimental possibilities of tandem Fourier-transform mass spectrometry with Californium-252 plasma desorption are discussed.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6616413
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
DYES
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
PEPTIDES
PLASMA
DESORPTION
SACCHARIDES
CALIFORNIUM 252
FOURIER TRANSFORM SPECTROMETERS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CALIFORNIUM ISOTOPES
CARBOHYDRATES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
RADIOISOTOPES
SPECTROMETERS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
400201* - Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
400702 - Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry- Properties of Radioactive Materials