In late 2002 and early 2003, we constructed the direct analysis in real time (DART) source which was destined to become the first of a new generation of so-called "ambient" ion sources. Following two years of experimentation and data collection, the DART was publicly disclosed at the 2005 ASMS Sanibel Conference in the same session whered desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) was first presented. A commercial DART source was introduced two months later at the Pittsburgh Conference. Since that time, a large number of new atmospheric pressure "ambient" ion sources have been developed largely based on variations on plasma or electrospray methods.
The DART operating principle is based on the interactions of neutral excited-state atoms or molecules with the sample and/or atmospheric gases. Water vapor and oxygen in the air play an important role in the ionization mechanism.
Easy access to the "open" ion source makes the DART a very versatile way to analyze small molecules. Applications range from analysis of counterfeit drugs and contaminated products to foods, beverages and herbal supplements, synthetic chemistry and materials analysis. The DART has been adopted by government and forensic labs, as well as academic and industrial users. DART has even been featured on a popular television crime show.
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Last Updated 3/19/2010