plasma desorption ionization

in mass spectrometry
The ionization of any species by interaction with heavy particles (which may be ions or neutral atoms) formed as a result of the fission of a suitable nuclide adjacent to a target supporting the sample.
Source:
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 1548