The research, in the general area of Analytical and Surface Chemistry, focuses on continued development of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The work promises to enhance the development of mass spectrometry, a very important analytical technique. The project tackles the problem of external ion injection and linearized excitation/detection. Both theoretical modelling and equipment building and testing are planned. New theory to be studied will include general spectroscopic aspects, and will focus on Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT/ICR) mass spectrometry. New instrumental developments will include studies of ion trap design and characterization, ion guides for ion external injection, and dual-channel SWIFT and detection modules. New experiments will be performed to directly determine the ICR orbital radius from the detected ICR signal, together with experiments to study the use of a fast neutral beam ion source for involatile samples and a bilateral frequency sweep for ion injection. Some analytical and chemical applications regarding actinide metal complexes, stereochemical effects, gas-phase basicities of carbenes, osmium cluster ion chemistry and applications to the analysis of polymers and electrode surfaces are also planned.
