Sampling and analysis of individual particles by aerosol mass spectrometry

Over the past decade, aerosol mass spectrometry has developed into a powerf ul method for characterizing individual particles in air, Recent advances i n the design of inlets and mass spectrometers have extended the size range of particles that can be analyzed, In this tutorial, fundamental aspects of particle motion in sampling inlets are introduced, Basic experimental conf igurations for achieving a high analysis rate and the ability of laser abla tion to provide chemical composition information are reviewed, An example o f the use of this technology to study atmospheric phenomena is also present ed. Significant opportunity exists for designing new experiments at the int erface of aerosol mass spectrometry and conventional molecular mass spectro metry. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.