Electrospray mass spectra of biopolymeric ions can be used to determine ion masses using secondary electron pulse spectra. Secondary electron yields reflect electronic excitation deposited in a solid target, which is related to the electron density and velocity of projectile ions. Secondary electron pulse spectra provide a fingerprint which measures masses of ions of known velocity. Ions with masses from 411 (tetraheptylammonium ion) to 480 000 (apoferritin) amu give secondary electron yields that fall on a single curve of secondary electrons/amu plotted as a function of ion velocity. Secondary electron analysis revealed decomposition of larger polyethylene glycol ions (m > 10 000 amu).