Microsecond pulsed glow discharge in fast flow Grimm type sources for mass spectrometry

The application of microsecond Pulsed Glow Discharge (PGD) in direct current mode to existing commercial mass spectrometers with the Grimm type fast flow sources is described. Significant improvement of analytical properties in PGD, together with time gated detection of ions, in comparison with continuous direct current discharge is demonstrated. Successful application of microsecond pulsed glow discharge with a sector field mass spectrometer for depth profile analysis is shown. Processes of the sample ion transport in PGD are investigated experimentally and theoretically.