Advanced Mass Spectrometry Methods for Trace Detection

Summary

The Surface and Trace Chemical Analysis Group conducts both applied and fundamental research into the development, characterization, and analysis of various spectrometric platforms including ambient and atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry. These analytical techniques provide a direct determination of the nominal mass and chemical identity of particulate, residue, vapor, and aerosol species. Mass spectrometry can also measure the spatial and temporal distributions of chemical species on solid surfaces and substrates. This program encompasses a wide range of technique development and standards production projects for a breadth of applications in material science, forensic chemistry, and security.

 

Description

Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry (AI-MS)

AI-MS remains a versatile field enabling direct analysis of samples in situ, requiring minimal or no sample preparation. These platforms are leveraged for the trace detection of organic and inorganic compounds, including, homemade and improvised explosives, radiological dispersion device components, gunshot residues, and a variety of other forensically relevant compounds. STCAG has developed and employs a wide range of front-end sample introduction and ionization platforms coupled to hybrid linear ion trap triple quadrupole, time-of-flight, hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight, and single quadrupole mass analyzers.     

Thermal Desorption Ambient Mass Spectrometry decouples analyte desorption and ionization. Here, analytes are thermally desorbed directly from a primary surface or a wipe collection using conductive, convective, and/or radiative modes of heating. This mode has been implemented extensively in the trace detection arena for rapid and reproducible analysis of wipe-collected samples.

Open Port Liquid Interface Ambient Mass Spectrometry utilizes a liquid-solid interface to interrogate surfaces for trace residues. 

Ambient and Atmospheric Pressure Mass Spectrometry platforms provide sample collection, transport, and ionization for vapor, aerosol, and liquid samples. Electro-, acoustic-, and pneumatic-actuation can be incorporated for droplet generation with electrospray, chemical, and photo ionization avenues.  

Surface Desorption Ambient Mass Spectrometry enables direct solid surface interrogation for sampling and ionization of trace analytes. This project encompasses liquid-, plasma-, and laser-based ion sources.  

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)

SIMS allows the measurement of isotopic, elemental, and molecular information from the surface of solid samples. A high energy “primary” ion beam bombards the surface and induces a collision cascade, liberating “secondary” ions that are then sent to magnetic sector or time-of-flight mass analyzers for detection of ions.

Magnetic Sector SIMS generates isotopic and elemental information from solid surfaces with depth profiling capabilities to measure the concentration of isotopes and elements as a function of depth into the film.

TOF-SIMS employs a pulsed primary ion beam and a time-of-flight mass analyzer for the detection of molecular ions with mass-to-charge ratios ranging from m/z 1 to m/z 10,000 in a single spectrum. This technique can resolve patterned features smaller than a micrometer with a molecular specificity unique to MS, allowing the detection and visualization of trace chemicals within very complex surfaces.

SIMS Ion Source Development  The introduction of cluster sources such as C₆₀ and argon giant cluster ion beams (GCIB) have remedied the excessive chemical damage generated by energetic ion bombardment to a surface. In addition to extending the achievable depth of analysis, these cluster sources offer enhanced desorption of large molecules, expanding SIMS to biological applications.

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