| ionization | <chemistry, radiobiology> Any process by which a neutral atom gains or loses electrons, thus acquiring a net charge, as the dissociation of a substance in solution into ions or ion production by the passage of radioactive particles. High temperatures, electrical discharges or nuclear radiations can cause ionisation. (16 Dec 1997) |
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| ionization chamber | A chamber for detecting ionization of the enclosed gas; used for determining intensity of ionizing radiation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spectrometry, mass, matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization | A mass spectrometric technique that is used for the analysis of large biomolecules. Analyte molecules are embedded in an excess matrix of small organic molecules that show a high resonant absorption at the laser wavelength used. The matrix absorbs the laser energy, thus inducing a soft disintegration of the sample-matrix mixture into free (gas phase) matrix and analyte molecules and molecular ions. In general, only molecular ions of the analyte molecules are produced, and almost no fragmentation occurs. This makes the method well suited for molecular weight determinations and mixture analysis. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| flame ionization | Pyrolysis of organic compounds at the temperature of a hydrogen-air flame to produce ionic intermediates which can be collected and the resulting ion current measured by gas chromatography. (12 Dec 1998) |