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'Bubble chamber model' of fast atom bombardment induced processes
Marina V Kosevich1, Vadim S Shelkovsky, Oleg A Boryak
1B. Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 47 Lenin Avenue, Kharkov 61103, Ukraine. mvkosevich@ilt.kharkov.ua
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM
|July 23, 2003
Summary
A novel bubble chamber model explains how fragile biomolecules survive high-energy particle impacts in fast atom bombardment (FAB) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). This model proposes that superheated liquids undergo localized boiling, protecting molecules from destructive heat during ion emission.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Biophysics
Background:
- Fast Atom Bombardment (FAB) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are crucial for analyzing biomolecules but struggle with sample survival.
- The mechanism by which fragile biomolecules and clusters survive energetic particle impacts on liquids remains a long-standing question.
- Previous models did not fully account for the survival of intact biomolecules under FAB conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a new hypothesis, the 'bubble chamber FAB model', to explain the survival of fragile biomolecules and clusters during FAB.
- To elucidate the role of superheated liquids and bubble formation in the ion emission process.
- To reconcile conflicting theories regarding gas-phase versus liquid-phase effects in FAB.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of saturated vapor pressure over liquids under FAB/SIMS experimental conditions.
- Application of principles from nuclear physics regarding bubble chamber detectors and particle-induced boiling.
- Conceptual modeling of bubble formation, bursting, and subsequent microdroplet/cluster release.
Main Results:
- Experimental evidence suggests liquids used in FAB/SIMS are in a superheated state.
- Energetic particle impact on superheated liquids initiates localized boiling, forming vapor bubbles.
- The 'bubble chamber FAB model' posits that bubble formation and bursting at ambient temperature protects biomolecules.
Conclusions:
- The bubble chamber FAB model provides a mechanism for biomolecule survival by utilizing ambient temperature boiling.
- Bubble growth and microdroplet release during bubble bursting contribute to ion production, similar to spraying techniques.
- This model unifies disparate views on FAB mechanisms and explains phenomena like ion suppression by surface-active compounds.
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