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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...

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:

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...

Mass Spectrometry: Overview

Mass Spectrometry: Overview

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to determine the molecular mass and molecular formula of a compound. The basic principle of mass spectrometry is to generate ions from the analyte molecule and measure these ion abundances against their molecular mass. One common type of ionization, known as electron ionization or EI, bombards the analyte molecules in the gas phase with high-energy electron beams. The electron beams displace an electron from the molecule and leave behind a...

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...

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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Analyzing Large Protein Complexes by Structural Mass Spectrometry

Analyzing Large Protein Complexes by Structural Mass Spectrometry

Published on: June 19, 2010

Focus: The incredible shrinking mass spectrometers.

Analytical Chemistry

|June 9, 2011

Summary

Miniaturization is making mass spectrometry (MS) more accessible. This technology is poised for use in space exploration and clinical settings.

Area of Science:

Analytical Chemistry
Instrumentation Science

Background:

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique.
Traditional MS instruments are often large, complex, and require specialized environments.
Advancements in miniaturization are addressing these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the progress and potential of miniaturized mass spectrometry.
To discuss the implications of MS technology for new applications.

Main Methods:

Review of recent developments in MS miniaturization technologies.
Analysis of design principles enabling smaller, portable MS devices.

Main Results:

Miniaturized MS systems are becoming increasingly viable.

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Whole-body Mass Spectrometry Imaging by Infrared Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization (IR-MALDESI)

Whole-body Mass Spectrometry Imaging by Infrared Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization (IR-MALDESI)

Published on: March 24, 2016

Analysis of Volatile and Oxidation Sensitive Compounds Using a Cold Inlet System and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry

Analysis of Volatile and Oxidation Sensitive Compounds Using a Cold Inlet System and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry

Published on: September 5, 2014

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Last Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Analyzing Large Protein Complexes by Structural Mass Spectrometry

Analyzing Large Protein Complexes by Structural Mass Spectrometry

Published on: June 19, 2010

Whole-body Mass Spectrometry Imaging by Infrared Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization (IR-MALDESI)

Whole-body Mass Spectrometry Imaging by Infrared Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization (IR-MALDESI)

Published on: March 24, 2016

Analysis of Volatile and Oxidation Sensitive Compounds Using a Cold Inlet System and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry

Analysis of Volatile and Oxidation Sensitive Compounds Using a Cold Inlet System and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry

Published on: September 5, 2014

These systems offer comparable performance to larger counterparts in specific applications.

Conclusions:

Miniaturization is enabling mass spectrometry to move beyond traditional laboratory settings.
The technology is set for deployment in diverse fields, including space exploration and point-of-care diagnostics.