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Concept information

physical process > ionization > thermal ionization

Preferred term

thermal ionization  

Definition

  • Thermal ionization, also known as surface ionization or contact ionization, is a physical process whereby the atoms are desorbed from a hot surface, and in the process are ionized. Thermal ionization is used to make simple ion sources, for mass spectrometry and for generating ion beams. Thermal ionization has seen extensive use in determining atomic weights, in addition to being used in many geological/nuclear applications. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_ionization)

Broader concept

Entry terms

  • contact ionisation
  • contact ionization
  • surface ionisation
  • surface ionization
  • thermal ionisation

In other languages

URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-ZTR48PPG-M

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