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

Mass Spectrometers

Mass Spectrometers

This lesson details the instrumentation of a mass spectrometer—a physical instrument to perform mass spectrometry on analyte molecules and record the characteristic mass spectra. This is achieved via three chief functions:

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...

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...

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...

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...

Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Tandem mass spectrometry is a technique that uses multiple mass analyzers in series to obtain a higher selectivity and reduce chemical noise during analyte detection. Instruments with multiple analyzers separated by an interaction cell enable secondary fragmentation and selected study of the fragment ions.Secondary fragmentations occur in the interaction cell and can be induced by various factors. Fragmentation induced by collision with inert gases, such as N2, Ar, He, etc., is called...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

[Change of IL-22R1 expression in human airway smooth muscle cells in response to different stimulating agents].

Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University·2011

Same author

Genetic variation in an miRNA-1827 binding site in MYCL1 alters susceptibility to small-cell lung cancer.

Cancer research·2011

Same author

Effects of electrode surface modification with chlorotoxin on patterning single glioma cells.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2011

Same author

Intracranial clear cell meningioma: a clinicopathologic study of 15 cases.

Acta neurochirurgica·2011

Same author

Striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase expression and activity in Huntington's disease: a STEP in the resistance to excitotoxicity.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience·2011

Same author

1-(4,5-Dinitro-10-aza-tricyclo-[6.3.1.0]dodeca-2,4,6-trien-10-yl)-2,2,2-trifluoro-ethanone.

Acta crystallographica. Section E, Structure reports online·2011

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Sample Preparation for Probe Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Sample Preparation for Probe Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Published on: February 19, 2020

Sampling wand for an ion trap mass spectrometer.

Keyong Hou¹, Wei Xu, Jian Xu

¹Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906, United States.

Analytical Chemistry

|February 9, 2011

Summary

A novel sampling wand enhances miniature mass spectrometer sensitivity by extending the ion trap and discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface. This design improves ion capture and analysis for various ionization sources without extra power or pumping.

More Related Videos

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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Sample Preparation for Probe Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Sample Preparation for Probe Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Published on: February 19, 2020

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

Area of Science:

Analytical Chemistry
Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation

Background:

Miniature mass spectrometers with ambient ionization sources are valuable tools.
Discontinuous atmospheric pressure interfaces (DAPI) are key components for ion transfer.
Existing methods often require pneumatic ion transfer from distant sources.

Purpose of the Study:

To implement and evaluate a new sampling wand concept for ion trap mass spectrometers with DAPI.
To improve ion introduction and mass analysis sensitivity in miniature mass spectrometers.
To enable operation without additional power or pumping requirements.

Main Methods:

A 1.2 m long sampling wand was designed, separating the mass analyzer and DAPI from the main spectrometer body.
Ions were captured in the ion trap, with contained gas being pumped away.
The wand was tested with a modified hand-held ion trap mass spectrometer.

Main Results:

The extended wand design improved mass analysis sensitivity.
Successful demonstrations were achieved using nano-electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and low temperature plasma (LTP).
Analysis of liquid, gaseous, and solid samples was performed.

Conclusions:

The new sampling wand concept is effective for enhancing ion trap mass spectrometer performance.
The design facilitates miniature mass spectrometer operation with ambient ionization sources.
Improved sensitivity was achieved for diverse sample types and ionization methods.