auto-ionization

in mass spectrometry
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00526
This occurs when an internally supra-excited atom or molecular @[email protected] loses an electron spontaneously without further interaction with an energy source. (The state of the atom or molecular @[email protected] is known as a [email protected]@ state.)
Sources:
Orange Book, 2nd ed., p. 206 [Terms] [Book]
PAC, 1991, 63, 1541. (Recommendations for nomenclature and symbolism for mass spectroscopy (including an appendix of terms used in vacuum technology). (Recommendations 1991)) on page 1547 [Terms] [Paper]
Cite as: IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997). Online version (2019-) created by S. J. Chalk. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.
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Last revised: February 24, 2014