Laser mass spectrometry for high sensitive and multi-component analysis ofexhaust gas from vehicles

Laser mass spectrometry is a newly developed method for pollutant detection . It combines resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and time of -night mass spectro- metry (TOF-MS). It may detect pollutants with high sen sitivity, high selectivity and in a multi-component way. In this note, lase r mass spectrometry was used to detect the pollutants in exhaust gases from vehicles. With one-color REMPI (at 266 mm), several aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene, toluene, xylene, C-3-benzene, etc., mere detected. Thes e substances were selectively ionized by (1+1) REMPI and their mass resolut ion was detected by a TOF mass spectrometer. And a quantitative analysis wa s achieved.