Thermal ionization
In thermal ionization, also referred to as surface ionization, chemically-purified material loaded onto a filament which is then heated to cause some of the material to be ionized as it boils off the hot filament. Filaments are generally flat pieces of metal around 1-2mm wide, 0.1mm thick, bent into an upside-down U shape and welded to steel posts that supply a current.
Saha-Langmuir equation
The likelihood of ionisation is a function of the filament temperature, the work function of the filament substrate and the ionization energy of the element.
This is summarised in the Saha-Langmuir equation:[1]
- <math>\frac{Y_1}{Y_0} = \frac{g_1}{g_0} \exp \Bigg(\frac{\phi-IP}{kT}\Bigg)</math>
- <math>\frac{Y_1}{Y_0}</math> = ion to neutral ratio
- <math>\frac{g_1}{g_0}</math> = statistical weights of ion and neutral states
- <math>\phi</math> = surface work function
- IP = element ionization potential
- T = surface temperature
Thermal ionization mass spectrometry
One application of thermal ionization is thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). The ions being produced at the filament are directed into a mass spectrometer to analyze the elements or isotopes present in the sample.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ Dresser, M. J. (January 1968). "The Saha-Langmuir Equation and its Application" (PDF). Journal of Applied Physics. 39 (1): 338–339. doi:10.1063/1.1655755. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
- ↑ Aggarwal SK, Kinter M, Fitzgerald RL, Herold DA (1994). "Mass spectrometry of trace elements in biological samples". Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences. 31 (1): 35–87. doi:10.3109/10408369409084673. PMID 8049033.