Abstract

Laser desorption ionization of compounds that absorb 337 nm (e.g., vitamin B₁₂ and selected porphyrins) are examined by using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry. The experiments are performed by mixing the sample with a host compound that promotes desorption and/or ionization. The relative abundance of photofragment ions can be controlled by simple adjustments of parameters such as the laser power and matrix-to-analyte ratio. In addition, it is shown that gas-phase photoionization/photodissociation of laser-desorbed species by a second laser pulse provides structural information for both negative and positive ions.

Molecular analysis by ionization of laser-desorbed neutral species

Keith R. Lykke, Peter Wurz, Deborah H. Parker, and Michael J. Pellin
Appl. Opt. 32(6) 857-866 (1993)

Chemical ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry of chemical warfare agent simulants using laser-produced metal ions

Chih-Cong Chou and S. Randolph Long
Appl. Opt. 29(33) 4981-4986 (1990)

Application of laser photofragmentation-resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization to ion mobility spectrometry

Jeffrey M. Headrick, Thomas A. Reichardt, Thomas B. Settersten, Ray P. Bambha, and Dahv A. V. Kliner
Appl. Opt. 49(11) 2204-2214 (2010)

Surface profiling of lithium with a laser-desorption mass-spectrometer microprobe

Grant A. Bickel and Harry M. Adams
Appl. Opt. 38(9) 1488-1493 (1999)

Production of the NO photofragment in the desorption of RDX and HMX from surfaces

Jason D. White, F. Ahu Akin, Harald Oser, and David R. Crosley
Appl. Opt. 50(1) 74-81 (2011)