Stepwise laser photoionization of molecules in a mass spectrometer: a new method for probing and detection of polyatomic molecules

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Abstract
Laser spectroscopy and kinetic mass spectrometry of polyatomic isolated molecules have been carried out by using stepwise laser ionization of molecules in a mass spectrometer. The optical absorption spectrum of NO2 has been recorded, for example, by using pulsed dye-laser excitation and H2 vacuum-ultraviolet laser ionization of molecules. The kinetics of excited electron states and of the production of molecular and fragmented ions of some polyatomic molecules have been investigated with high temporal resolution. The sensitivity achieved is 10−10 cm−1 of the absorption coefficient and 109 (105) molecules in the ground (electronically excited) state in the irradiated volume.

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