Abstract

Laser desorption is used to volatilize explosive materials for analysis by ion mobility/mass spectrometry measurements. The laser desorption is performed at relatively low power (<10⁷ W/cm²) so that mainly neutrals are produced, which are subsequently ionized by ⁶³Ni-β-source induced ion-molecule reactions at atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure ionization, together with the soft vaporization method, produces relatively simple spectra of the explosives investigated, yielding ions that are very characteristic of each molecule for identification. The technique has great potential for high sensitivity based upon the combination of complete laser vaporization of the sample and the API method, which is an extremely efficient form of ionization for these molecules with high electron affinities.

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)

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)

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)

Trace detection of explosives with low vapor emissions by laser surface photofragmentation–fragment detection spectroscopy with an improved ionization probe

Jerry Cabalo and Rosario Sausa
Appl. Opt. 44(6) 1084-1091 (2005)

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)