Chemical Analysis with Multi-Dimensional and On-Line Selectivity Using Laser Spectroscopy Combined with Mass or Species Separation

Abstract

Chemical trace and ultra-trace analysis has reached an exceptionally high technological level during the last decades. This is mainly due to the combination of two or even more analytical methods which resulted in a “multi-dimensional” selectivity. The leading “two-dimensional” analytical technique is gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The price for this high technological standard is a time-consuming sample preparation. Thus, species-selective detection of traces of organic pollutants (e.g. dioxins or pesticides) may take days or even weeks. Therefore, these conventional methods of trace analysis are not adapted to special problems such as: rapid measurement for fast counter measures in the case of chemical accidents trace analysis of dynamic chemical processes, e.g. combustion processes large amounts of samples, e.g. close-meshed spot checks of polluted areas or biochemical and medical or atmospheric analytics A prerequisite to solve these problems is the availability of rapid on-line or mobile on-site methods of selective detection. Their development is a challenge of modern technology and subject of modern research.