Field desorption of electrolytic solutions using untreated wire emitters

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Abstract
Simple untreated wire emitters can be used for field desorption of electrolytic solutions, e.g. acids or substances containing alkali salts. The ionization is achieved by the attachment of protons or alkali ions to molecules in the condensed phase which are subsequently desolvated by the action of high electric fields. This field desorption mode is demonstrated and discussed for a few characteristic examples. It is shown that the addition of substances of high viscosity and low vapour pressure in the liquid state favours the field desorption behaviour of many compunds. In general the mass spectra of untreated wires are less complicated than those of activated emitters since field ionization processes occurring at the tip of the field‐enhancing microneedles are avoided.

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