Mass spectrometry operating principle

To examine a sample by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectroscopy (ICP/AES) the sample must be transported into the flame of a plasma torch. Once in the flame, sample molecules are literally ripped apart to form ions of their constituent elements. These fragmentation and ionization processes are described in Chapters 6 and 14. To introduce samples into the center of the (plasma) flame, they must be transported there as gases, as finely dispersed droplets of a solution, or as fine particulate matter. The various methods of sample introduction are described here in three parts — A, B, and C Chapters 15, 16, and 17 — to cover gases, solutions (liquids), and solids. Some types of sample inlets are multipurpose and can be used with gases and liquids or with liquids and solids, but others have been designed specifically for only one kind of analysis. However, the principles governing the operation of inlet systems fall into a small number of categories. This chapter discusses specifically substances that are normally liquids at ambient temperatures. This sort of inlet is the commonest in analytical work. 

To understand the principles of operation of each of these interfaces, in particular with regard to the way in which they achieve compatibility between high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. 

LASER MICROPROBE MASS SPECTROMETRY 3.3.1 Operating Principle... 

The measurements that have been made at Rochester and the experience that has been gathered over the years on the operation of sputter ion sources [38] indicate that an analytical tool of unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy for isotopic ratio determinations can be constructed by coupling SIMS technology with the new accelerator technique. The only difference in principle between the experiments that have been conducted to date and the technique as it would be applied in secondary ion mass spectrometry is that the primary beam of cesium would be focussed to a fine probe of pm dimensions rather than the spot diameters of approximately 1 mm that have been used to date. 

Figure 2.15. Schematic of a quadrupole analyzer, (a) A hyperbolic cross-section (b) cross-section of cylindrical rods (c) the operating principle of a quadrupole mass filter. The x-direction pair of rods acts like a high pass filter so ion C (with low m/z) is not allowed through, and the y-direction pair of rods acts like a low pass filter and takes care of ion A (with high m/z). Only ion B having an m/z in the stable range is allowed through the quadrupole mass filter for subsequent detection. Reprinted from A. Westman-Brinkmalm and G. Brinkmalm (2002). In Mass Spectrometry and Hyphenated Techniques in Neuropeptide Research, J. Silberring and R. Ekman (eds.) New York John Wiley Sons, 47-105. With permission of John Wiley Sons, Inc.

Under the headline of instmmentation we shall mainly discuss the different types of mass analyzers in order to understand their basic principles of operation, their specific properties and their performance characteristics. Of course, this is only one aspect of instmmentation hence topics such as ion detection and vacuum generation will be addressed in brief. As a matter of fact, sample introduction is more closely related to particular ionization methods than to the type of mass analyzer employed, and therefore, this issue is treated in the corresponding chapters on ionization methods. The order of appearance of the mass analyzers in this chapter neither reflects the ever-changing percentage they are employed in mass spectrometry nor does it strictly follow a time line of their invention. Instead, it is attempted to follow a trail of easiest understanding. 

Mass spectrometry is also extremely useful as a process monitor. Less sophisticated residual gas analyzers (RGA) operating on the principles of mass spectrometry are available for these purposes and for end point detection. For the etching of Si 128-130), poly-Si 130), silicon nitride 130), and Si02 (729), SiF (m/e=85) has been shown to be effective for end-point detection. In addition, (m/e=14) is useful for nitride 129,130) in leak tight systems, while O (m/e =16), CO (m/e =44) and Si" " (m/e=29) are useful for oxide (757). Because of the general nature of mass spectrometry as a diagnostic tool, it should be applicable to etching studies of metals and other semiconductor materials. 

P.H. Dawson, Principles of operation. In P.H. Dawson (ed.), Quadmpole Mass Spectrometry and its Applications, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1976. 

The scope of the use of mass spectrometry in the protein analysis has grown enormously in the past few decades. MS has become an important analytical tool in biological and biochemical research. Its speed, accuracy and sensitivity are unmatched by conventional analytical techniques. The variety of ionization methods permits the analysis of peptide or protein molecules from below 500 Da to as big as 300 Da (Biemann 1990 Lahm and Langen 2000). Basically, a mass spectrometer is an instrument that produces ions and separates them in the gas phase according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The basic principle of operation is to introduce sample to volatilization and ionization source, and then the molecular fragments from the ionization of the sample are detected by various kinds of detector and the data are analyzed with computer software. 

FT-ICR, first developed more than a decade ago (Comisarow and Marshall, 1974a,b), has become very popular in recent years for both analytical and ion/molecule reaction studies. In the literature this method is also frequently termed Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS). The term FT-ICR, however, indicates the physical principles of the method more precisely and is less confusing the mathematical operation of Fourier transformation can also be applied to some other forms of mass spectrometry such as time-of-flight mass spectrometry as has been demonstrated recently (Knorr et al., 1986). 

The various types of mass analysers will be discussed in this chapter with a description of their principles of operation. Because each type of analyser is based on significantly different principles, each has unique properties and specifications. The main characteristics of the different analysers presented in this chapter are summarized in Table 2.2. A description of the detectors used in mass spectrometry will also be given in Chapter 3. 

Some Important Points in Mass Spectrometry Mass Spectrometer Principle of Operation Interpretation of Some Spectra Mass Spectrum of Benzene, of 2,2,4 Trimethyl Pentane 265... 

There are several textbooks which discuss the physical principles involved in mass spectrometry and the fundamental aspects of mass spectrometer design and operation [15-17]. However, it is worthwhile considering briefly the way in which the mass spectra of organic compounds are produced and recorded, together with the instrumentation and techniques most commonly employed in GC-MS. 

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