The origin of spurious peaks in mass spectra

Abstract
Direct experimental evidence is presented which confirms that mass peaks at m/e=1, 16 and 19 in residual gas mass spectra obtained at system pressures of 10-9-10-10 torr arise from electron-stimulated desorption effects occurring within the ionizer. This conclusion is based on the determination of ion yield as a function of extraction voltage, ionizing electron energy, and partial pressures. Some suggestions are made about the nature of adsorbed species producing the ions, which are considered to be H+, O+ and H3O+, derived principally from adsorbed water and CO.
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