| This work investigates the use of a Q-switched neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet type laser (Nd:YAG) to rapidly desorb carbowax/poly-ethylene glycol coated Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME) and introduce volatile samples to a GC-MS. Specifically, effort is made to reduce desorption cycle time from an order of minutes to seconds, enhance SPME lifetime by minimizing degradation of coating material during desorption, and reduce overall desorption energy and size requirements while also minimizing the concern for SPME oxidation in air.;Experiments with a 1064 nm laser pulse, utilizing both toluene and DNT as the compound of interest, demonstrate that laser pulses can be used to effectively remove volatile compounds from PEG SPME material and deliver them to a GC-MS, though a number of issues limiting implementation are identified and discussed. Experiments with 532 nm laser pulses were not able to demonstrate equivalent capability. |
