Resonance-ionization mass spectrometry of carbon

Abstract
Resonance-ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) for carbon has been demonstrated. A two-photon-resonant, three-photon ionization scheme provided large ionization signals from carbon atoms obtained by heating microgram samples of graphite. These results show that elemental carbon vapor can be detected at densities at least as low as 107 cm−3. The feasibility of efficient resonance ionization is a first step to the development of a RIMS-analysis capability for elemental and isotopic carbon.