Mass spectrometers parallel

In essence, a guided-ion beam is a double mass spectrometer. Figure A3.5.9 shows a schematic diagram of a griided-ion beam apparatus [104]. Ions are created and extracted from an ion source. Many types of source have been used and the choice depends upon the application. Combining a flow tube such as that described in this chapter has proven to be versatile and it ensures the ions are thennalized [105]. After extraction, the ions are mass selected. Many types of mass spectrometer can be used a Wien ExB filter is shown. The ions are then injected into an octopole ion trap. The octopole consists of eight parallel rods arranged on a circle. An RF... 

Powerful mass spectrometer/computer systems can achieve simultaneous foreground/background operation, especially if transputers are used to provide the advantage of parallel processing. 

Multidimensional or hyphenated instmments employ two or more analytical instmmental techniques, either sequentially, or in parallel. Hence, one can have multidimensional separations, eg, hplc/gc, identifications, ms/ms, or separations/identifications, such as gc/ms (see CHROMATOGRAPHY Mass spectrometry). The purpose of interfacing two or more analytical instmments is to increase the analytical information while reducing data acquisition time. For example, in tandem-mass spectrometry (ms/ms) (17,18), the first mass spectrometer appHes soft ionization to separate the mixture of choice into molecular ions the second mass spectrometer obtains the mass spectmm of each ion. 

In Surface Analysis by Laser Ionization (SALI), a probe beam such as an ion beam, electron beam, or laser is directed onto a surfiice to remove a sample of material. An untuned, high-intensity laser beam passes parallel and close to but above the sur-fiice. The laser has sufficient intensity to induce a high degree of nonresonant, and hence nonselective, photoionization of the vaporized sample of material within the laser beam. The nonselectively ionized sample is then subjected to mass spectral analysis to determine the nature of the unknown species. SALI spectra accurately reflect the surface composition, and the use of time-of-flight mass spectrometers provides fast, efficient and extremely sensitive analysis. 

One of the key components in the system is the mass spectrometer. Fragments are ionized by a VUV laser pulse between a pair of plane parallel-plate electrodes (6 x 14 cm). One of the plane electrodes has a slit of 1 x 10 cm, which is covered by a metal mesh. The slit is parallel to the VUV laser beam and is the entrance of the mass spectrometer. Ions are accelerated by a pulsed electric field present between the plane parallel-plate electrodes, and then pass through the slit before they enter the mass spectrometer. 

The most commonly used method for the identification of carotenoids is high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPFC) combined with the UV-Vis absorption detection. The introduction of diode array detection enabled parallel collection of pigment spectra, which greatly aids the quantification and localization of unknown compounds. Coupling HPFC with the mass-spectrometer significantly... 

In very pure hydrogen, there can be hardly any permanent chemical change produced by irradiation. However, the ion-molecule reaction (5.1) does occur in the mass spectrometer, and it is believed to be important in radiolysis. The H2 molecule can exist in the ortho (nuclear spin parallel) or para (antiparallel) states. At ordinary temperatures, equilibrium should favor the ortho state by 3 1. However, the rate of equilibration is slow in the absence of catalysts but can be affected by irradiation. Initially, an H atom is produced either by the reaction (5.1) or by the dissociation of an excited molecule. This is followed by the chain reaction (H. Eyring et al, 1936)... 

Another MS-based approach used in high-throughput bioanalysis utilizes a mass spectrometer equipped with several API spray probes. Each of the analytical columns in parallel is connected to a separate spray probe and each spray is sampled in rapid successions for data acquisition by the MS. A separate data hie for each spray is recorded. Several samples can be analyzed simultaneously on parallel columns5 6 in the course of a single chromatographic run. 

On the LC/MS side, the offerings are limited. Other than certain prototype instrumentation26 only Waters offered with its MUX technology a type of parallel mass spectrometer ion interface. The Waters MUX technology does not truly operate in parallel, but multiplexes among combinations of four or eight liquid streams. Combined with Waters LockSpray technology even an additional fifth or ninth channel to introduce a reference mass was used. 

Staggered parallel chromatography is an efficient and capable tool for linking multiple HPLC systems to a serial detection device, the mass spectrometer. The LC2MS version of the LCnMS approach has been in continuous use since 1998 in our laboratory and has supported hundreds of studies. The LCnMS scheme is now available from many commercial venders. However, for users who want to utilize existing equipment and not purchase additional equipment, it is beneficial to configure an ad hoc system from standard HPLC equipment as presented in this chapter. 

Figure 8.3 Schematic diagram of a quadrupole mass spectrometer. It consists of two pairs of parallel metal rods carrying a DC plus an oscillating voltage, in such a way that only a particular mass-to-charge ratio will pass down the center of the rods for a given setting. The mass spectrum can be rapidly scanned by varying the potentials on the rods. Adapted from Beynon and Brenton (1982), Figs. 4.6 and 4.7, by permission of University of Wales Press.

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