Electrochemical generation of field desorption emitters

摘要

An electrochemically generated field desorption emitter for use in mass spectrometry, and a process for forming such an emitter by immersing a metal support, as a first electrode, and a second electrode in an electrolytic liquid mixture having appropriate concentration of a metal compound, and applying a plurality of short duration, electrical pulses between the electrodes. The emitter so formed comprises an elongated metal support having a plurality of metal dendrites extending in a generally radially outwardly direction therefrom.