Preferred Label : field desorption;
Detailed label : field desorption in mass spectrometry;
IUPAC definition : A term used to describe the formation of ions in the gas phase from a material deposited
on a solid surface (known as an 'emitter') in the presence of a high electrical field.
'Field desorption' is an ambiguous term because it implies that the electric field
desorbs a material as an ion from some kind of emitter on which the material is deposited.
There is growing evidence that some of the ions formed are due to thermal ionization
and some to field ionization of vapour evaporated from material on the emitter. Because
there is generally little or no ionization unless the emitter is heated by an electric
current, 'field desorption' is a misnomer. The term is, however, firmly implanted
in the literature and most users undertand what is going on regardless of the implications
of the term. In addition, no better simple term has been suggested to take its place
and so, reluctantly, it is recommended that it be retained.;
Origin ID : F02357;
See also
A term used to describe the formation of ions in the gas phase from a material deposited
on a solid surface (known as an 'emitter') in the presence of a high electrical field.
'Field desorption' is an ambiguous term because it implies that the electric field
desorbs a material as an ion from some kind of emitter on which the material is deposited.
There is growing evidence that some of the ions formed are due to thermal ionization
and some to field ionization of vapour evaporated from material on the emitter. Because
there is generally little or no ionization unless the emitter is heated by an electric
current, 'field desorption' is a misnomer. The term is, however, firmly implanted
in the literature and most users undertand what is going on regardless of the implications
of the term. In addition, no better simple term has been suggested to take its place
and so, reluctantly, it is recommended that it be retained.
