Question

Contrast gaseous ion sources with desorption ion sources. Provide potential advantages and disadvantages for each source.

Answer 1

Gaseous ion sources are easy to install and easy to operate. They need limited work space with less demanding work environment. They tend to provide a large concentration of ions. However, they are non-selective and often give mixed ion formation. Applicable to small molecules which ionize rather easily. Limited usage.

Desorption ion sources work with applying strong electric field and thus they give ions of large molecules or macromolecules. The applicability is to a wide range and can be used for both small molecules and large molecules large polymers and proteins. Howvere, they are tedius to install, more expensive and require lot of work space.