[Mikoviny2010]
Mikoviny, T., L. Kaser, and A. Wisthaler,
"Development and characterization of a high-temperature proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer (HT-PTR-MS)",
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, vol. 3, no. 3: Copernicus GmbH, pp. 537–544, 2010.
Link:
http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/3/537/2010/amt-3-537-2010.html
We have developed a High-Temperature Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass Spectrometer (HT-PTR-MS) in which both the ion source and the ion drift tube can be continuously operated at temperatures up to 250 °C. The instrument was characterized in a high E/N-mode (130 Td) and in a low E/N-mode (87 Td) at an operating temperature of 200 °C. Instrumental sensitivities and 2σ-detection limits were on the order of 50–110 cps/ppb and 100 ppt (1 s signal integration time), respectively. The HT-PTR-MS is primarily intended for measuring "sticky" or semi-volatile trace gases. Alternatively, it may be coupled to a particle collection/thermal desorption apparatus to measure particle-bound organics in near real-time. In view of these applications, we have measured instrumental response times for a series of reference compounds. 1/e2-response times for dimethyl sulfoxide, ammonia and monoethanolamine were in the sub-second to second regime. 1/e2-response times for levoglucosan, oxalic acid and cis-pinonic acid ranged from 8 to 370 s.