A newly developed, mobile laser mass spectrometer (resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization - time-of-flight mass spectrometer, REMPI-TOFMS) was applied to on-line measurements at a waste incineration pilot plant. REMPI-TOFMS combines the optical selectivity of resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization with a time-of-flight mass analysis to give a two-dimensional analytical method. Special care was taken to build up a sampling and inlet system suitable for on-line measurements of large, semivolatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). An effusive molecular beam inlet in combination with a fixed frequency UV laser (Nd:YAG at 266 nm or KrF excimer at 248 nm) was used. Under these conditions, many different PAHs can be ionized selectively from the complex flue gas matrix. For example, the achieved detection limit for naphthalene is in the 10 parts-per-trillion by volume (pptv) concentration range. Calibration was performed by using external concentration standards supplied in low ppbv concentrations. The instrumentation is sufficiently robust to be operated under industrial conditions at incineration plants, for instance. The REMPI mass spectra can be acquired at 5-50 Hz. Time profiles of the concentrations of different PAHs in the flue gas were monitored with a time resolution of 200 ms. Significant variations in the concentration profile of several PAHs up to mass 276 amu (e.g., benzo[ghi]perylene) and methylated PAHs have been observed while combustion parameters were changing. In summary, it was demonstrated that laser mass spectrometry (REMPI-TOFMS) enables a real-time on-line trace analysis of combustion flue gases or industrial process gases.

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Resonant laser mass spectrometry is a promising method for chemical trace analysis since it combines selectivity, sensitivity and rapidity of measurement. It is a two‐dimensional technique incorporating medium‐ or high‐resolution UV spectroscopy and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. No sample preparation and chemical clean‐up is necessary to reach detection limits in the sub‐ppb range even when highly complicated mixtures of chemical species are analyzed. After an introduction to the principles of resonant laser mass spectrometry, illustrative examples of applications are presented. Drawbacks, possibilities of overcoming them, some interesting features and future developments of resonant laser mass spectrometry are discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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It is now known that tunable dye laser light leads to resonance enhanced photoionization of molecules in a mass spectrometer via multiphoton absorption. In some cases this process also leads to ion fragmentation. Time delayed tandem laser pulses of different wavelengths are employed to study the mechanism of this multiphoton ionization and fragmentation process in benzene. The experimental results strongly indicate that excitation does not proceed up an autoionization ladder of the neutral molecule, rather the multiphoton process is shown to be due to the climbing of two independent ladders, one up to the ionization potential in the neutral molecule, the second in the new species of molecular parent ions produced. Hence multiphoton ionization could also form a new basis of ion spectroscopy.