Thermal ionization

Not to be confused with thermionic emission.

Thermal ionization, also known as surface ionization or contact ionization, is a physical process whereby the atoms are desorbed from a hot surface, and in the process are ionized.

Thermal ionization is used to make simple ion sources, for mass spectrometry and for generating ion beams.[1] Thermal ionization has seen extensive use in determining atomic weights, in addition to being used in many geological/nuclear applications.[2]

  1. ^ Alton, G. D. (1988). "Characterization of a cesium surface ionization source with a porous tungsten ionizer. I" (PDF). Review of Scientific Instruments. 59 (7): 1039–1044. Bibcode:1988RScI...59.1039A. doi:10.1063/1.1139776. ISSN 0034-6748.
  2. ^ Barshick, C; Duckworth, D; Smith, D (2000). Inorganic mass spectrometry : fundamentals and applications. New York, NY [u.a.]: Dekker. p. 1. ISBN 9780824702434.