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New-found interest in the development of ionization sources for mass spectrometry, inspired by the advent of ambient desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, has led to a resurgence in plasma-source development and characterization. Dielectric-barrier discharges, particularly the low-temperature plasma (LTP) probe format, have been at the forefront of this field due to their low power consumption and relatively simple design. However, better fundamental understanding of this desorption/ionization source is needed to improve the analytical capabilities of such a device. Here, we use relatively fast (2.5 ms per spectrum) time-resolved mass spectrometry to characterize the temporal reagent-ion distribution from a low-frequency LTP probe. Different voltage waveforms were found to heavily influence the discharge properties and, consequently, ion production. Ion signals from short discharge pulses, ca. 40 µs, were found to be significantly broadened, ca. 10 ms, prior to extraction into the mass spectrometer. Additionally, higher frequencies of a sine-wave LTP produced the largest flux of reagent ions, which existed for most of the voltage waveforms. Finally, temporal signals for reagent and analyte ions were measured and related to specific ionization processes: proton transfer and charge transfer.
A novel ionization scheme for ambient mass spectrometry is presented and discussed. Desorption and ionization are achieved by a quasi-continuous laser induced plasma (LIP) ignited in front of the atmospheric pressure interface of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This setup comprises the advantages of i) an ambient probe, ii) electro neutrality, iii) low power consumption, iv) a sufficient duty cycle, v) a ubiquitous plasma medium (air) and vi) high sensitivity caused by the high electron number densities.
The plasma properties and operating conditions are investigated to understand the processes that lead to the formation of molecular ions. Comprehensive studies include optical emission spectroscopy, shadowgraphic shockwave visualization and time-of-flight mass spectrometry investigations. The observed MS signal (including reagent-ion signal, as well as analyte spectra) closely resembles the ionization behavior of other electrically-driven plasma-based ionization sources, such as DBD, LTP or DART. Conversely that means that although LIPs are commonly known to have temperatures way above 10.000 K and thus efficiently atomize and ionize molecules, MS spectra were obtained that showed the formation of intact molecular ions.
For an insight into the LIP properties the optical emission of the LIP is examined and exhibits a pronounced degree of dissociation into atomic and ionic species, which reflects the higher temperature and electron density inside a LIP. Accordingly, rather elemental (ICP-type) than molecular spectra should be expected. However due to the absence of such ions, we conclude that the analyte does not enter the hot center of the plasma itself. Moreover, the initial, highly-excited plasma species react cascade-like to lower energetic species via reactive collision with the surrounding atmosphere, which can then subsequently ionize molecules of interest. The concept potentially involves charge transfer, proton transfer, electron impact and photoionization.
These assumptions are confirmed via the shadowgraphs of the expanding shockwave around the LIP. An effective spatial separation between the two regions is maintained by concentrically expanding pressure waves resulting in a strongly unidirectional diffusion. Additionally, the strictly outbound matter transport suggests a rarefaction inside the plasma region for each plasma event.
A novel ionization scheme for ambient mass spectrometry is presented and discussed. Desorption and ionization are achieved by a quasi-continuous laser induced plasma (LIP) ignited in front of the atmospheric pressure interface of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This setup comprises the advantages of i) an ambient probe, ii) electro neutrality, iii) low power consumption, iv) a sufficient duty cycle, v) a ubiquitous plasma medium (air) and vi) high sensitivity caused by the high electron number densities.
The plasma properties and operating conditions are investigated to understand the processes that lead to the formation of molecular ions. Comprehensive studies include optical emission spectroscopy, shadowgraphic shockwave visualization and time-of-flight mass spectrometry investigations. The observed MS signal (including reagent-ion signal, as well as analyte spectra) closely resembles the ionization behavior of other electrically-driven plasma-based ionization sources, such as DBD, LTP or DART. Conversely that means that although LIPs are commonly known to have temperatures way above 10.000 K and thus efficiently atomize and ionize molecules, MS spectra were obtained that showed the formation of intact molecular ions. For an insight into the LIP properties the optical emission of the LIP is examined and exhibits a pronounced degree of dissociation into atomic and ionic species, which reflects the higher temperature and electron density inside a LIP. Accordingly, rather elemental (ICP-type) than molecular spectra should be expected. However due to the absence of such ions, we conclude that the analyte does not enter the hot center of the plasma itself. Moreover, the initial, highlyexcited plasma species react cascade-like to lower energetic species via reactive collision with the surrounding atmosphere, which can then subsequently ionize molecules of interest. The concept potentially involves charge transfer, proton transfer, electron impact and photoionization.
These assumptions are confirmed via the shadowgraphs of the expanding shockwave around the LIP. An effective spatial separation between the two regions is maintained by concentrically expanding pressure waves resulting in a strongly unidirectional diffusion. Additionally, the strictly outbound matter transport suggests a rarefaction inside the plasma region for each plasma event.
Advances in laser-induced plasmas have enabled various rapid and simple analytical applications. Especially, their uses in the analyses of condensed-phase samples have drawn significant attention in the past few decades. Depending on the laser energy per pulse, various analytical goals can be achieved. Laser-induced airborne plasmas allow direct analysis of species in ambient air. Importantly,
all of these applications are based on a fundamental understanding of the laser–medium interaction. Recent developments of diode-pumped solid-state lasers offer an alternative to conventional powerful, yet bulky lasers, which can specifically operate at high Repetition rates. Although these lasers deliver much lower power per pulse (mJ compared to mJ), the outstanding repetition rates offer significant improvement to meet statistical needs in some cases. In the present work, a mJ-laserinduced airborne plasma was characterized through optical emission analysis. By using a ns-timegated image detector coupled with specific bandpass filters, spatially, temporally, and spectrally resolved plasma images were recorded. Compared to conventional mJ-laser-induced plasmas, the one induced by mJ-lasers demonstrated unique features during its evolution. Specifically,
measurements of the distribution of ionic and atomic species revealed distinctive energy/matter transfer processes during early ignition of the plasma. Meanwhile, dynamic investigations suggested subsequent matter transport in the later stage.