ABSTRACT
Aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS) is a unique analytical method which incorporates two existing techniques for particle analysis: time-of-flight aerosol beam spectrometry and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). Atmospheric aerosols, produced by anthropogenic, biogenic, and geogenic sources are prevalent throughout our environment and, as a result, have an influence on the physical processes occurring in the atmosphere. In comparison to other mass spectrometric methods, TOFMS offers several capabilities which are desirable for real-time chemical analysis of aerosol particles. Using monodisperse ammonium sulfate aerosol samples, a size calibration curve is empirically derived by measuring transit time for a known particle size. To assist in understanding atmospheric particles at the single particle level, the particles produced from several aerosol sources are currently being characterized using the ATOFMS technique. Monodisperse aerosols of sodium chloride and 2,4-dihydoxybenzoic acid are created using a vibrating orifice aerosol generator.
