Application of UV/VUV Free-Electron Lasers to Photoionization Mass Spectroscopy

Chemists typically use photoionization and photoionization mass spectroscopy for two types of experiments. In one case, the goal is measurement of thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties. In the other case, reaction mechanisms and kinetics are probed; photoionization is used for selective identification of key species in a complex reacting mixture. The utility of photoionization stems from the ability to tie thermodynamic values to accurately measured wavelengths and the sensitivity of ion (or electron) detection.