Laser desorption/ionization cluster studies for calibration in mass spectrometry

Abstract.

Precise mass calibration is mandatory in many fields of mass spectrometry. We have performed laser desorption/ionization cluster studies with a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer on gold and fullerene targets to produce atomic clusters. These investigations demonstrate that clusters are ideally suited for this purpose. Pulsed N₂-laser and Nd:YAG-laser ablation was used to produce positively as well as negatively charged clusters. Earlier observations of dianionic metal clusters are confirmed. First results from the tandem Penning trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP using carbon clusters as mass references show how carbon clusters can be applied to precision mass spectrometry by providing absolute mass standards.