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Transpector MPH Operating Manual
The appearance potential for Ar
2+
 is 43.5 eV, and the ion production rate does not 
maximize until the electron energy exceeds 100 eV. The appearance potential for 
Ar
3+
 is approximately 85 eV, while the appearance potential for Ar
4+
 is over 200 eV. 
4.1.1.4  A Qualitative Interpretation Guide
To use Transpector MPH to identify unknown substances, three characteristics 
must be recognized:
 fragmentation patterns
 multiply charged ions
 isotope ratios
Simple spectra are, in general, relatively easy to interpret and will yield useful 
identifications. The analysis of complicated mixtures of substances is much more 
difficult.
Table 4-3 is intended as a spectrum interpretation guide which may be of use when 
first examining an unknown spectrum. The guide lists the masses of peaks, 
possible ion identities for each of these masses, and common sources for each of 
these ions. 
NOTE: This list is not all-inclusive.
Table 4-3  Spectrum Interpretation Guide 
Spectrum Interpretation Guide
AMU # Chemical Symbol Sources
1 H water F or hydrogen F
2H
2
, D hydrogen, deuterium (
2
H)
3 HD, 
3
H hydrogen-deuterium, tritium (
3
H)
4 He helium
5 No known elements
6 C doubly ionized 
12
C (Rare)
7N DI 
14
N (Rare)
8O DI 
16
O (Rare)
9 No known elements
10 Ne, 
10
BDI 
20
Ne (Rare), BF
3
, BCl
3
11 Ne, 
11
BDI 
22
Ne (Rare), 
11
BF
3
, BCl
3
12 C carbon, carbon monoxide F, carbon dioxide F
13 CH, 
13
C methane F, carbon isotope
14 N, CH
2
nitrogen, methane F or Note 1