Mass Spectrometer Repair, Maintenance & MS Calibration Services

A mass spectrometer works through a series of interconnected steps that enable the analysis of the composition of a sample. It separates ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), allowing scientists to identify the types and quantities of various molecules within the sample. Here’s a simplified overview of how a mass spectrometer works:

Ionization: The process begins with ionization, where the sample is converted into ions by various ionization techniques. Common ionization methods include electron impact, electrospray ionization (ESI), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). These techniques break down molecules into charged particles (ions), often by removing electrons.

Acceleration: Once the sample is ionized, the ions are accelerated by an electric field, giving them kinetic energy. This energy helps focus the ions and prepare them for the next step.

Ion Separation: The accelerated ions enter the mass analyzer, which separates them based on their mass-to-charge ratio. The mass analyzer applies magnetic and/or electric fields to bend and manipulate the path of the ions. Different ions are affected differently by these fields due to their mass and charge, causing them to separate spatially.

Quadrupole Analyzer: Uses radio-frequency and direct current voltages to selectively transmit ions of specific m/z ratios.
Time-of-Flight (TOF) Analyzer: Measures the time ions take to travel a fixed distance. Lighter ions reach the detector faster than heavier ions.

Magnetic Sector Analyzer: Uses magnetic fields to bend ion paths. Lighter ions are bent more than heavier ions.

Ion Trap Analyzer: Captures ions in a confined space using electromagnetic fields and selectively releases them for detection.

Detection: The separated ions are detected by a detector at the end of the mass analyzer. The detector records the number of ions of each m/z ratio, creating a mass spectrum. The mass spectrum is a graph where the x-axis represents the m/z ratio, and the y-axis represents the abundance of ions at that m/z ratio.

Data Analysis: The resulting mass spectrum is analyzed to identify the types of ions present in the sample. Each ion peak corresponds to a specific m/z ratio, representing a particular molecule or fragment. By comparing these peaks to known databases or reference spectra, scientists can determine the composition of the sample.

Quantification: The intensity of the ion peaks in the mass spectrum provides information about the relative abundance of the different ions. This information can be used for quantitative analysis, determining the concentration of specific molecules in the sample.

Overall, the mass spectrometer’s ability to separate ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio allows scientists to obtain detailed information about the composition, structure, and concentration of various molecules within a sample. The versatility of mass spectrometry makes it a fundamental tool in numerous scientific fields, including chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, and environmental science.