Enhancing of the signal-to-noise ratio in MATI spectra

The aromatic hydrocarbon derivative p-xylene has been investigated using MATI spectroscopy. The apparatus used in this experiment was a standard reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ReTOF). A study of the dependence of the MATI signal on the laser intensity has been performed showing that the MATI signal strength and thus the signal-to-noise ratio of the MATI spectrum can be greatly enhanced. The spectral resolution is not affected by this signal enhancement. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.