Coupling of a Rydberg electron capture ion source with a quadrupole mass filter

The coupling of a Rydberg electron capture ion source with a Nermag R10-10H quadrupole mass filter is described. Details are given of the addition to this instrument of a creation cell for atoms excited in Rydberg states. Wit hin the Nermag ion source, such atoms allow attachment of electrons of well -defined thermal energy. SF6 was used for optimization of the main experime ntal parameters (gas pressures and voltages applied to the electrodes). The procedure by which Rydberg electron attachment was confirmed is described. A polychlorobiphenyl compound was used to illustrate the performance of th is ionization technique. ion formation was observed in the absence of fragm entation. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.