COINCIDENCE MEASUREMENTS IN MASS-SPECTROMETRY

The detection of coincidental emissions (electron-ion, ion-ion, photon -ion) can enhance the amount of information available in desorption ti me-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) by identifying physical, chemi cal and/or spatial correlations. This paper outlines the conditions fo r coincidence measurements and the methodology for identifying correla tions. Applications of coincidence-correlation mass spectrometry inclu de the study of the composition and structure of polyatomic ions, the process involved in ion production from solids and the chemical microh omogeneity of surfaces. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.