High mass resolution glow discharge mass spectrometry using an external ion source FT-ICR mass spectrometer

A glow discharge source has been adapted for use with a commercial external ion source Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. This combination shows promising analytical usefulness. Results on National Institute of Standards and Technology stainless steel standards showed that peaks due to nominally isobaric atomic isotopes can be observed with high mass resolution (m/delta m(sub 1/2) greater than or equal 290,000). Detection limits in the high parts per billion to low parts per million range were achieved for analysis of trace metals in the standards, and concentrations of the trace elements were determined with good accuracy (better than 15%).... Glow discharge, Elemental analysis, Heavy isotope analysis, High mass resolution, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.