Abstract
The term “mass spectrometry” did not appear in the scientific literature until around 1920, when F. W. Aston reported for the first time the precise atomic weights of neon-20 and neon-22. This was a decade later than the discovery of these, the first, isotopes by Sir J. J. Thomson, confirming an earlier suggestion by F. Soddy that such entities should exist. These far-reaching discoveries resulted in the award of Nobel prizes, and led to the establishment of a vast new field of science which was eventually to affect each and every one of us. While the discovery of isotopes led to the development of some of the most horrendous weapons known to man, it has indisputably enriched our lives in many ways.
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Reference
H. C. Hill, Introduction to Mass Spectrometry, Heyden and Son, Ltd., London, 2nd ed., 1972. A good general introduction to the subject.
F. W. McLafferty, Interpretation of Mass Spectra, W. A. Benjamin, Inc., Reading, Massachusetts, 2nd ed., 1973. One of the best texts on interpretation of mass spectra, but suffers from an overdependence upon isotope ratio determinations.
J. Roboz, Introduction to Mass Spectrometry: Instrumentation and Techniques, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1968. Provides a good coverage of instrumentation of historical interest.
H. Budzikiewics, C. Djerassi, and D. H. Williams, Mass Spectrometry of Organic Compounds, Holden-Day, Inc., San Francisco, 1967. Although more than 10 years old, this is still the “bible” of organic mass spectrometry, containing a comprehensive review of mass spectral fragmentation processes.
R.A.W. Johnstone, Senior Reporter, Specialist Periodical Report: Mass Spectrometry, The Chemical Society, London, Vol. 5, 1979. These biennial reports contain comprehensive reviews of recent research.
Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, biomedical applications.
International Journal of Mass Spectrometry and Ion Physics, mostly devoted to instrumentation and physical chemistry.
Mass Spectrometry Bulletin, a monthly bibliography (see Chapter 8).
Mass Spectroscopy (Japan), published by the Mass Spectroscopy Society of Japan.
Organic Mass Spectrometry, mostly devoted to studies of fragmentation processes.
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© 1979 Plenum Press, New York
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Middleditch, B.S. (1979). Principles of Mass Spectrometry. In: Middleditch, B.S. (eds) Practical Mass Spectrometry. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2982-4_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2982-4_1
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