Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of ions in Penning traps

• Published in: Mass spectrometry reviews Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 448 - 467
• Main Author: Eyler, John R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.05.2009; Wiley
• Subjects: Analytical biochemistry: general aspects, technics, instrumentation; Analytical chemistry; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; carbon dioxide laser; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance; free electron laser; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; infrared multiple photon dissociation; ion spectra; optical parametric oscillator; Penning traps; Spectrometric and optical methods; Fourier transformation; Optical parametric amplifier; Free electron laser; Peptides; Optical parametric oscillator; Instrumentation; ion spectra; infrared multiple photon dissociation; laser; Infrared radiation; Small molecule; Organic compounds; Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance; Inorganic ion; Ion cyclotron resonance spectrometry; CO; Complexes; Multiphoton process; Protein; carbon dioxide laser; Penning traps; Photoionization; Penning trap; Tunable laser; Mass spectrometry
• ISSN: 0277-7037; 1098-2787
• DOI: 10.1002/mas.20217

The ability of Paul and Penning traps to contain ions for time periods ranging from milliseconds to minutes allows the trapped ions to be subjected to laser irradiation for extended lengths of time. In this way, relatively low-powered tunable infrared lasers can be used to induce ion fragmentation when a sufficient number of infrared photons are absorbed, a process known as infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD). If ion fragmentation is monitored as a function of laser wavelength, a photodissociation action spectrum can be obtained. The development of widely tunable infrared laser sources, in particular free electron lasers (FELs) and optical parametric oscillators/amplifiers (OPO/As), now allows spectra of trapped ions to be obtained for the entire "chemically relevant" infrared spectral region. This review describes experiments in which tunable infrared lasers have been used to irradiate ions in Penning traps. Early studies which utilized tunable carbon dioxide lasers with a limited output range are first reviewed. More recent studies with either FEL or OPO/A irradiation sources are then covered. The ionic systems examined have ranged from small hydrocarbons to multiply charged proteins, and they are discussed in approximate order of increasing complexity.