Investigation of the analytical performance of gliding spark source mass spectrometry (GSSMS) for the trace analysis of nonconducting materials

A radiofrequency (rf) spark discharge in vacuum developing across the surface of dielectrics – a so-called gliding spark – has been applied to the direct mass spectrometric trace analysis of nonconducting materials. The special configuration of the electrodes strengthened the electric field over the surface of a nonconducting sample and created optimum conditions for the sputtering and ionization of the sample material. Mass spectrometric investigations of the charge composition of atomic ion and molecular ion formation in radiofrequency gliding spark plasma showed a significant difference to that of the original rf spark discharge between two conducting electrodes. The analytical figures of merit (reproducibility, relative sensitivity factors and detection limits of chemical elements) of gliding spark source mass spectrometry have been studied by using the glass standard reference materials NIST SRM 610 and 611 for the determination of trace elements in glass matrix. Received: 31 March 1999 / Revised: 10 May 1999 / Accepted: 13 May 1999