Investigation of the analytical performance of gliding spark source mass spectrometry (GSSMS) for the trace analysis of nonconducting materials

A radiofrequency (rf) spark discharge in vacuum developing across the surfa ce of dielectrics - a so-called gliding spark - has been applied to the dir ect mass spectrometric trace analysis of nonconducting materials. The speci al configuration of the electrodes strengthened the electric field over the surface of a nonconducting sample and created optimum conditions for the s puttering and ionization of the sample material. Mass spectrometric investi gations of the charge composition of atomic ion and molecular ion formation in radiofrequency gliding spark plasma showed a significant difference to that of the original rf spark discharge between two conducting electrodes. The analytical figures of merit (reproducibility, relative sensitivity fact ors and detection limits of chemical elements) of gliding spark source mass spectrometry have been studied by using the glass standard reference mater ials NIST SRM 610 and 611 for the determination of trace elements in glass matrix.