Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Identification of Isomers Applying Coherent Laser Control

Dela Cruz et al., "Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Identification of Isomers Applying Coherent Laser Control"
J. Phys. Chem. A, 109 (38), 8447-8450 (2005)

Mass spectrometry works by breaking molecules into pieces into pieces in order to identify them. That's great, except in isomers, such as ortho, meta, and para- xylenes, in which the molecules consist of the same pieces. Dela Cruz combine Mass Spec with femtosecond laser-based dissociation; since the quantum mechanical energy levels are different, carefully controlled laser pulses can be used to selectively dissociate these molecules (and other isomeric pairs) Furthermore, as they point out, most of this technology is available "off the shelf", there is no reason this cannot be widely applied.