Separation, 231 magnetic-sector

The chapter is divided into sections, one for each general class of mass spectrometer magnetic sector, quadnipole, time-of-flight and ion cyclotron resonance. The experiments perfonned by each are quite often unique and so have been discussed separately under each heading. 

An AutoSpec-TOF mass spectrometer has a magnetic sector and an electron multiplier ion detector for carrying out one type of mass spectrometry plus a TOF analyzer with a microchannel plate multipoint ion collector for another type of mass spectrometry. Either analyzer can be used separately, or the two can be run in tandem (Figure 20.4). 

In the magnetic-sector/TOP hybrid, ions produced in an ion source pass through the magnetic sector first and then might enter the TOF section, depending on how the hybrid is operated. The hybrid can be used as two separate instruments or as two instruments in conjunction with each other. 

In the following discussion, the separate use of the magnetic sector and the TOF sector are examined briefly, followed by a discussion of the hybrid uses. 

Note that in mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS) applications, quadrupole and magnetic sectors can be used together advantageously. It is also worth noting that the quadrapole can be operated without the DC voltages. In this RF-only mode, no mass separation occurs, and these quadrapoles are used as ion transmission guides, described in Chapter 49. 

The ion optics of a magnetic-sector mass spectrometer cause the ion beam leaving the ion source to arrive at a collector after being separated into individual m/z values and focused. 

In conventional mass spectrometry with electric and magnetic sectors arranged in-hne (see Chapter 26), an ion beam consists of a stream of ions of all m/z values, which is separated into individual m/z values by the magnetic sector before being collected by single-point or multipoint detectors (see Chapters 28 and 29). 

Thus, it can be said that conventional magnetic sectors separate ions into individual m/z values by dispersion in space (spatially) and not according to their flight times. Contrarily, TOP analyzers separate ions of different m/z values according to their velocities (temporally) but not spatially. 

Momentum spectrum. A spectrum obtained when a beam of ions is separated according to the momentum-to-charge (m/z) ratios of the ionic species present. A magnetic-sector analyzer achieves separation of the various ionic species in this way. If the ion beam is homogeneous in translational energy, as is the case with sector instruments, separation according to the m/z ratios is also achieved. 

Sectors. In a sector mass spectrometer, ions are formed in an ion source that is at a potential V, usually 8 to 10 kV. Upon leaving the ion source they undergo acceleration to a velocity v, where eU = y rriv, and then enter a magnetic sector which separates the beam of ions according to their corresponding momenta. The transmission of ions through such a device is described by... 

Figures High mass resoiution mass spectrum obtained from a phosphorus-doped amorphous silicon hydride thin film using a magnetic sector ion microanalyzer. The peak is well separated from the hydride iirterferences.

Electrostatic Analyzer In magnetic-sector instruments, an electrostatic sector can be incorporated either before or after the magnet to provide energy resolution and directional focusing of the ion beam. The resolution achievable in these double-focusing instruments is sufficient to separate ions having the same nominal mass (e.g., 28 Daltons) but with different chemical formula (e.g., N2 and CO). 

The double-focusing mass spectrometer consists of both magnetic sector and electrostatic analysers (ESAs), the latter being a device which focuses ions with the same m jz values but differing energies. The extent to which the beams of ions of closely similar m jz ratios overlap is thus reduced so that in many cases they may be separated. This then allows their mjz ratios to be determined with more accuracy and precision and the atomic composition of the ion to be determined. 

Rapid scanning mass spectrometers providing unit resolution are routinely used as chroaatographic detectors. Ion separation is accomplished using either a magnetic sector, quadrupole filter or ion trap device. Ions can also be separated by time-of-flight or ion cyclotron resonance mass analyzers but these devices are not widely used with chromatograidiic inlets and will not be discussed here [20]. 

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