Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)

High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)

The resolution of a mass spectrometer depends on the efficiency of separating ions with different ion masses. The mass of an atom is approximated to the sum of the masses of protons and neutrons inside, considering the masses of protons and neutrons as equal. However, the masses of the proton (1.6726 × 10−24 g) and neutron (1.6749 × 10−24 g) are not truly equal. There is a minor error in the expression of atomic masses relative to the simplest atom of hydrogen. For example, the mass of helium...

Mass Analyzers: Common Types

Mass Analyzers: Common Types

The quadrupole mass analyzer consists of four cylindrical metal rods arranged in a diamond carrying a DC voltage and a radio-frequency AC voltage. The motion of ions through the quadrupole depends on the field strength, causing only ions of a certain m/z to resonate successfully and strike the detector at a given field strength. Though the transmission rate for these analyzers is high, the exact elemental composition of the sample is not determined because of low resolution; however, they are...

Mass Spectrum: Interpretation

Mass Spectrum: Interpretation

An unknown compound can be established by identifying the molecular ion peak in the mass spectrum. The molecular ion peak is often weak or absent due to the predominance of fragmentation in high-energy electron beams. In such cases, a soft-energy electron beam can be used to scan the spectrum to enhance the intensity of the molecular ion peak. Additionally, chemical ionization, field ionization, and desorption ionization spectra are used to obtain a relatively intense molecular ion peak.To...

Mass Analyzers: Overview

Mass Analyzers: Overview

The mass analyzer is a crucial component of the mass spectrometer. In the ionization chamber, the vaporized sample is bombarded with a high-energy electron beam to generate a radical cation and further fragment into neutral molecules, radicals, and cations. A series of negatively charged accelerator plates accelerate the cations into the mass analyzer. The mass analyzer separates ions according to their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios and then directs them to the detector. The common types of mass...

Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview

Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview

In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then passed on to...

Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry

Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry

Higher molecular weight biomolecules are nonvolatile compounds that may decompose before ionizing or vaporizing during mass analysis with conventional electron impact ionization methods. Accordingly, electrospray ionization (ESI) is the favored method for vaporizing and ionizing biomolecules as it circumvents rapid fragmentation and enables the recording of mass signals for the entire biomolecule.
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Quantitation of Diastereomer Content in PS-Modified Synthetic Oligonucleotides using cIMS-MS.

Analytical chemistry·2026

Same author

Mapping GlycoRNAs on an Exosomal Surface.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026

Same author

Overexpression of GM3 and Ganglioside Pattern Remodeling in Lung Adenocarcinoma Brain Metastases Identified by Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Same author

Deficiency of Toll-like receptor 2 is a driver of sex-related compositional and structural rearrangements of membrane lipids.

Communications chemistry·2025

Same author

Advanced Ganglioside Characterization in Epileptic Human Hippocampus by Travelling Waves Ion Mobility Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS·2025

Same author

Coupling Drift Tube Ion Mobility Measurements with Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Virus-like Particles and Other Megadalton-Sized Ions.

Analytical chemistry·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Published on: January 20, 2022

High-resolution ion cyclotron mobility spectrometry.

Samuel I Merenbloom¹, Rebecca S Glaskin, Zachary B Henson

¹Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA.

Analytical Chemistry

|January 16, 2009

Summary

This study introduces a new ion mobility spectrometry instrument with a cyclotron-shaped drift tube. This novel design enhances ion separation and resolution for complex mixtures.

More Related Videos

Detection of Regulated Ergot Alkaloids in Food Matrices by Liquid Chromatography-Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Detection of Regulated Ergot Alkaloids in Food Matrices by Liquid Chromatography-Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Published on: November 22, 2024

T-wave Ion Mobility-mass Spectrometry: Basic Experimental Procedures for Protein Complex Analysis

T-wave Ion Mobility-mass Spectrometry: Basic Experimental Procedures for Protein Complex Analysis

Published on: July 31, 2010

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Published on: January 20, 2022

Detection of Regulated Ergot Alkaloids in Food Matrices by Liquid Chromatography-Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Detection of Regulated Ergot Alkaloids in Food Matrices by Liquid Chromatography-Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Published on: November 22, 2024

T-wave Ion Mobility-mass Spectrometry: Basic Experimental Procedures for Protein Complex Analysis

T-wave Ion Mobility-mass Spectrometry: Basic Experimental Procedures for Protein Complex Analysis

Published on: July 31, 2010

Area of Science:

Analytical Chemistry
Spectrometry
Physical Chemistry

Background:

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a powerful analytical technique for separating ions.
Traditional IMS instruments face challenges in resolving complex mixtures and low-abundance ions.
Improving ion separation and detection sensitivity is crucial for advancing IMS applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a novel ion mobility spectrometry instrument utilizing a cyclotron geometry drift tube.
To demonstrate the enhanced ion separation capabilities of the new instrument.
To achieve high resolving powers for complex ion mixtures.

Main Methods:

Development of a novel IMS instrument with a cyclotron geometry drift tube.
Implementation of an eight-region drift tube with curved sections and ion funnels.
Utilizing a resonant drift field and electrostatic gate for ion manipulation and extended confinement.
Demonstration of ion isolation for specific charge states of substance P and trisaccharide isomers.

Main Results:

The instrument successfully propagated and trimmed ion packets using a resonant drift field.
An electrostatic gate enabled multiple cycles of ion confinement, enhancing resolution.
Specific charge states of substance P ([M + 2H](2+), [M + 3H](3+)) were isolated.
Individual trisaccharide isomers (melezitose, raffinose) were resolved from a mixture.
Achieved resolving powers exceeding 300.

Conclusions:

The cyclotron geometry drift tube offers a significant advancement in ion mobility spectrometry.
The instrument demonstrates superior capability in resolving complex mixtures and specific ion species.
This novel approach has the potential to broaden the applications of ion mobility spectrometry in various scientific fields.