Method and apparatus for ionizing and gas detection apparatus provided therewith

摘要

Gaseous or vaporous substances ionization involves guiding substance (22) to a solid body surface (34). The solid body surface is illuminated for ionizing molecules, particularly oxygen molecules of the substance by photo-induced electron transfer. An electrical potential is applied on the solid surface to create negative ions. Independent claims are included for: (1) an ionization apparatus for carrying out the process, which comprises a reaction chamber; and (2) a detection apparatus for detecting or identifying gaseous or vaporous materials, which comprises an ion mobility spectrometer including ionization apparatus.