Methods for analyzing a sample for a compound of interest using mass analysis of ions produced by slow monochromatic electrons

A method for ascertaining whether molecules of a subject explosive compound are present in a sample, the method comprising:

• (a) passing molecules from the sample into an electron monochromator;
• (b) in the electron monochromator, contacting the molecules with monochromatic electrons having a kinetic energy level within a range of greater than zero eV to less than about 6 eV, the energy level of the monochromatic electrons being sufficient to form anions from at least a subpopulation of the molecules by capture of monochromatic electrons by molecules of the subpopulation;
• (c) passing the anions formed in step (b) through a mass analyzer to obtain a spectrum of anion mass versus electron energy;
• and
• (d) ascertaining from the ion spectrum whether the spectrum includes a fingerprint profile characteristic of the subject explosive compound.

A method for ascertaining whether molecules of a subject pesticide compound are present in a sample, the method comprising:

• (a) passing molecules from the sample into an electron monochromator;
• (b) in the electron monochromator, contacting the molecules with monochromatic electrons having a kinetic energy level within a range of greater than zero eV to less than about 6 eV, the energy level of the monochromatic electrons being sufficient to form anions from at least a subpopulation of the molecules by capture of monochromatic electrons by molecules of the subpopulation;
• (c) passing the anions formed in step (b) through a mass analyzer to obtain a spectrum of anion mass versus electron energy;
• and
• (d) ascertaining from the ion spectrum whether the spectrum includes a fingerprint profile characteristic of the subject pesticide compound.

A method for ascertaining whether molecules of a subject drug compound are present in a sample, the method comprising:

• (a) passing molecules from the sample into an electron monochromator;
• (b) in the electron monochromator, contacting the molecules with monochromatic electrons having a kinetic energy level within a range of greater than zero eV to less than about 6 eV, the energy level of the monochromatic electrons being sufficient to form anions from at least a subpopulation of the molecules by capture of monochromatic electrons by molecules of the subpopulation;
• (c) passing the anions formed in step (b) through a mass analyzer to obtain a spectrum of anion mass versus electron energy;
• and
• (d) ascertaining from the ion spectrum whether the spectrum includes a fingerprint profile characteristic of the subject drug compound.

A method for ascertaining whether molecules of a subject environmental contaminant compound are present in a sample, the method comprising:

• (a) passing molecules from the sample into an electron monochromator;
• (b) in the electron monochromator, contacting the molecules with monochromatic electrons having a kinetic energy level within a range of greater than zero eV to less than about 6 eV, the energy level of the monochromatic electrons being sufficient to form anions from at least a subpopulation of the molecules by capture of monochromatic electrons by molecules of the subpopulation;
• (c) passing the anions formed in step (b) through a mass analyzer to obtain a spectrum of anion mass versus electron energy;
• and
• (d) ascertaining from the ion spectrum whether the spectrum includes a fingerprint profile characteristic of the subject environmental contaminant compound.