Chemistry Colloquium | New Instrumental Approaches for Atomic and Molecular Spectrometry, Feb. 18

Dr. Steven Ray

Ohio University’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Colloquium Series presents Dr. Steven Ray on “New Instrumental Approaches for Atomic and Molecular Spectrometry”, Monday, Feb. 18, at 4:10 p.m. in Clippinger 194.

Ray is a Winkler Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of New York at Buffalo.

The Host is Dr. Harrington

Abstract: Often, new instrumental techniques or chemical measurement strategies are required in order to address emerging, increasingly complex, chemical questions. In doing so, these new instrumental approaches unlock new capabilities, and thereby can greatly influence the community of chemists at large. In this presentation, several new instrumental approaches being developed with this aim will be briefly presented. A new type of mass analyzer known as the distance-of-flight mass spectrometer (DOFMS) will be described. The DOFMS concept is best explained by comparison with traditional time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS).  The TOFMS strategy measures the mass-to-charge (m/z) of an ion by imparting the same energy to all ions and then measuring the time required for each m/z to traverse a distance and arrive at a single detector.  In contrast, DOFMS measures the m/z of an ion by measuring the distance each ion travels during a set time period. Because of this unique ability to physically separate ions according to m/z, new capabilities for ion detection and collection have emerged.  Specifically, the development of a new type of semiconductor ion detection   array application-specific integrated chip will be discussed as an advantageous detector for this new approach to mass spectrometry. Second, a new type of plasma discharge known as the solution-cathode glow discharge will be detailed (SCGD).  The SCGD is an atmospheric pressure glow discharge that is sustained in the open atmosphere between a metal anode pin and a liquid solution surface, which acts as the discharge cathode. The plasma lies directly atop the liquid surface of the analyte solution, and it is capable of sampling the liquid by a ‘sputtering’ action, ejecting material into the SCGD plasma for analysis by atomic emission spectroscopy (AES). Amazingly, this small, simple 100-Watt discharge has provided analytical capabilities on-par with conventional approaches.