Laser initiated electron avalanches observed in a laser microprobe mass spectrometer

摘要

Laser triggered electron avalanches have been observed in a laser microprobe mass spectrometer (LAMMS) at an initial pressure of better than 10minus;7mbar. The avalanches appear to be spacehyphen;charge driven. Oscillatory avalanche behavior has been observed, and is discussed as a spacehyphen;charge dependent feature. The conditions required to inhibit this abnormal behavior in a LAMMS instrument are also discussed.