Field Ionisation Studies Using a Double Focussing Mass Spectrometer

Abstract
Intense field ionisation mass spectra have been obtained with an A.E.I. M.S.7 mass spectrometer, used with very simple modifications to the ion source. Some features of the spectra of a variety of compounds are given and the spectrum of acetone is discussed in detail. A special feature of this spectrum is the variety of ions with a mass greater than that of a single molecule. The relatively small energy spread of the field ion source enabled resolving powers, higher than those possible with a spark source, to be obtained. Multiplets occurring in the spectra were easily resolved.