Continuous mass spectrometric analysis of particulates by use of surface ionization

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es60129a004· OSTI ID:7294780

Davis, W D

An instrument for real-time analysis of airborne particulates by use of surface ionization is constructed and evaluated. The particles impinge on a heated Re ribbon, and the resulting burst of ions produced by each particle is analyzed in a 3-in. radius magnetic sector mass spectrometer. The ionization efficiency appears to obey the Saha-Langmuir equation. Oxygen in the air raises the work function of the Re to about 7.2 eV at 1000 K allowing analysis of elements with ionization potentials as high as 8 eV. In favorable cases, particles containing 1000 atoms of a particular element and particle concentrations of less than 1 per cm/sup 3/ can be detected.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY
• OSTI ID: 7294780
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 11:6; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
AIR
ATOMS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COLLOIDS
CONSTRUCTION
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DISPERSIONS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
EQUATIONS
EVALUATION
FLUIDS
GASES
HEAT
IONIZATION
IONS
MAGNETISM
MASS SPECTROMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
QUANTITY RATIO
REFRACTORY METALS
RHENIUM
SAHA EQUATION
SOLS
SPECTROMETERS
SURFACES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS