Use of multiply charged atomic ions for isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

We have investigated the use of multiply charged atomic ions for the measurement of isotopic ratios of gaseous and vapour samples. We use a mass spectrometer system incorporating an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source for this purpose. In the cases of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, the selection of the 2+ atomic species is found to be the most effective for obtaining reliable isotopic ratios. Using samples of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air and water vapour, we have demonstrated the determination of the isotopic ratios C-13/C-12, N-15/N-14, O-17/O-16 and O-18/O-16. For oxygen, this technique offers an alternative to the equilibration or purification methods normally required to obtain isotopic ratios of water or other oxygen-containing samples. In particular, O-17/O-16 can be measured directly without isobaric interference from OH+. With typical ionization efficiencies of greater than 10%, ECR ion sources have the potential to enable measurements on very small samples. In addition to those evaluated in the present work, there is scope for application of this method to other sample types, to a variety of sampling methods, and to other elements. © 2008, Wiley-Blackwell