Charge composition of metal ions versus laser radiation density in laser mass spectrometry

From experimental data for the yield of differently ionized ions at laser mass spectrometry, the dependence of the charge composition of the ions on the laser radiation density is found for a number of metals. It is established that the amount of multiply charged ions predominates over low-charged ones when the radiation density grows. An explanation is given for the fact that singly charged ions prevail over multiply charged ones at the end of laser-induced plasma spread. The influence of recombination on the ion distribution in the mass spectrum is estimated.