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Secondary neutral mass spectrometry using three-color resonance ionization: Os detection at the ppb level and Fe detection in Si at the 40 ppt level

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7140872
; ; ; ;  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
  2. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA (USA)
Among the many uses of resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy, secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) is both one of the most demanding and one of the most important. Recently, we have demonstrated that the selectivity of REMPI, and thus the sensitivity of SNMS, can be greatly enhanced using resonant excitation schemes involving multiply resonant processes. Of particular interest, is the use of autoionizing resonances, resonances with energies in excess of the ionization potential of the atom, in the REMPI process. The use of autoionizing resonances can reduce the laser intensity required to saturate the ionization process by more than an order of magnitude. This reduction can strongly reduce nonresonant ionization of background substituents enhancing the signal to noise of the SNMS measurement. While this approach to laser ionization SNMS is generally applicable, the three-color ionization method has been demonstrated using two widely disparate yet important systems. 42 refs., 8 figs.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/ER
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
7140872
Report Number(s):
CONF-9005198-1; ON: DE90011167
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English