Abstract

We have obtained mass spectra from single aerosol particles with diameters 0.5–10 μm. The signal-to-noise ratio exceeded 10,000 for the larger particles. In operation, aerosol particles cross a diode laser beam after entering a vacuum chamber. The resulting scattered light is used both to size the particles and to trigger a pulsed laser of sufficient power to form ions from the particles in a single shot. A time of flight mass spectrometer disperses the mass spectrum. Spectra have been obtained by using both infrared and ultraviolet pulsed laser sources. A future portable or airborne version of this instrument will add capabilities to the analysis of atmospheric aerosol particles.

© 1992 Optical Society of America