Spark Source Mass Spectrometers SSMS

A further development in SSMS was achieved by Jochum et in 1997 using the multi- 

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While our research was concerned with developing wet chemical methods, we confirmed our data with analyses from an available spark source mass spectrometer (SSMS). The SSMS operating parameters are given in Table I. The instrument used was an AEI MS-7 (I, 2) equipped with electrical detection. It was used in the peak switching mode only to provide more precise analyses. 

Of course, the electron-impact source cannot be used if nonvolatile inorganic samples such as metal alloys or ionic residues are to be analyzed. These substances can be investigated using a different kind of ionization chamber called a spark source, similar to the excitation sources used in emission spectroscopy (Chap. 11). The other parts of the spectrometer can be the same as a general-purpose instrument however, a Mattauch-Herzog double-focusing instrument is preferred (Fig. 16.7 below), because the spark source produces ions with a wide spread of kinetic energies. The entire device is known as a spark-source mass spectrometer (SSMS). 

Spark Source Mass Spectrometry (SSMS) is a method of trace level analysis—less than 1 part per million atomic (ppma)—in which a solid material, in the form of two conducting electrodes, is vaporized and ionized by a high-voltage radio frequency spark in vacuum. The ions produced from the sample electrodes are accelerated into a mass spectrometer, separated according to their mass-to-charge ratio, and collected for qualitative identification and quantitative analysis. 

In 1977, Jochum et aZ.12,14 developed the multiple ion counting (MC) technique using an old spark source mass spectrometer with 20 separate channeltrons 1.8 mm wide for simultaneous electrical ion detection. The sensitivity was increased by a factor of 20 compared to SSMS with ion detection using a photoplate and the precision of the analytical results was improved. 

SSMS - spark source mass spectrometer Mattauch-Herzog geometry ( / 10000). 

Spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS)i was (irsi introduced in the I930s as a general tool for multielement and i.sotope trace analyses. Ii was n(ti until lO.sS. however, that the first commercial spark source atomic mass spectrometer appeared on the market. After a period of rapid development in the 1960s. the use of this technique leveled off and then declined with the appearance of ICPMS and some of the other mass specironietric methods discussed in this chapter. C ur-remly, SSMS is still applied to samples that are not easily dissolved and analyzed by ICP. 

Mass spectrometry is used to provide qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. For ceramics we are mainly interested in analyzing solids, so a method for ionizing the material is necessary. In spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS) we use a high-voltage spark in a vacuum. The positive ions that are produced are analyzed by the spectrometer based on their mass. For insulating ceramics the material must be mixed with a conducting powder such as graphite or silver. Other methods can be used to ionize the sample ... 

SSMS Spark Source Mass Spectroscopy Sample in the form of Iwo electrodes High voltage R.F. spark produces ions Ions - analy in mass spectrometer 1-5 in Survey of trace elements detection limit 0 01-0 06 ppm 9... 

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