Surface Acoustic Wave Nebulization-Mass Spectrometry

Characterization methods for trace evidence samples may be limited by sample amount requirements and by the numerous steps required for sample preparation. Samples must be introduced into a mass spectrometer as ions, and methods that convert neutral molecules to charged ions may be classified as “soft” (primarily produce molecular ions with little fragmentation) or “hard” (the signal for the molecular ion is weak and even may be absent, while there are many peaks due to ions produced by fragmentation). Depending on the analysis needs and sample type, both methods of ion production have advantages and disadvantages. For sample ionization/introduction via surface acoustic wave nebulization (SAWN), there are a number of advantages. Little or no sample preparation are required; sample amount requirements may be from 10 to 1000 times less than other methods; and sample fragmentation is minimal.