Direct analysis in real time

In <a href="/facts/Mass_spectrometry/RH5WBHJ2">mass spectrometry</a>, direct analysis in real time (DART) is an <a href="/facts/Ion_source/3hP3h1sM">ion source</a> that produces electronically or vibronically <a href="/facts/Excited_state/czcLYNnr">excited-state</a> species from gases such as helium, argon, or nitrogen that ionize atmospheric molecules or <a href="/facts/Dopant/DvChmeRL">dopant</a> molecules. The ions generated from atmospheric or dopant molecules undergo ion-molecule reactions with the sample molecules to produce analyte ions. Analytes with low <a href="/facts/Ionization_energy/lezUajfA">ionization energy</a> may be ionized directly. The DART ionization process can produce positive or negative ions depending on the <a href="/facts/Potential/8Fcbtnt9">potential</a> applied to the exit electrode.
This <a href="/facts/Ionization/W13Ceavd">ionization</a> can occur for species desorbed directly from surfaces such as bank notes, tablets, bodily fluids (blood, saliva and urine), polymers, glass, plant leaves, fruits & vegetables, clothing, and living organisms. DART is applied for rapid analysis of a wide variety of samples at <a href="/facts/Atmospheric_pressure/wJLMSaVG">atmospheric pressure</a> and in the open laboratory environment. It does not need a specific sample preparation, so it can be used for the analysis of solid, liquid and gaseous samples in their native state.
With the aid of DART, exact mass measurements can be done rapidly with high-resolution mass spectrometers. DART mass spectrometry has been used in pharmaceutical applications, forensic studies, quality control, and environmental studies.

Direct analysis in real time open-in-new

Direct analysis in real time