Metastable ion

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-007267",
  "term": "Metastable ion",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "An ion that undergoes unimolecular decomposition in the field-free region between the ion source and the detector in a mass spectrometer. These ions have sufficient internal energy to dissociate after acceleration but before reaching the detector. Their fragmentation patterns provide structural information in mass spectrometry.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "references": [
    "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 1549 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199163101541)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/metastable-ion/"
}