Principle and technique of field-desorption mass spectrometry

The principle and technique of field-desorption mass spectrometry is described briefly. As is demonstrated for some corrin derivatives and vitamin B₁₂ as examples, the method of field desorption extends the range of mass-spectrometric analysis considerably. The molecular weights of substances that are not amenable to conventional mass-spectrometric techniques can be determined. Recent results show that the most important application of field-desorption mass spectrometry will be in the field of biochemical, medical, and environmental analysis.