Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
11:45
Experimental Methods for Trapping Ions Using Microfabricated Surface Ion Traps
Published on: August 17, 2017
DC Potentials Applied to an End-cap Electrode of a 3-D Ion Trap for Enhanced MS Functionality
Boone M Prentice1, Wei Xu, Zheng Ouyang
1Department of Chemistry Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907.
International Journal of Mass Spectrometry
|September 20, 2011
Summary
Controlling DC fields in a 3D quadrupole ion trap enhances mass spectrometry. This method improves ion capture, analysis, and collision-induced dissociation for better experimental results.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- 3D quadrupole ion traps are versatile tools in mass spectrometry.
- Optimizing ion manipulation within these traps is crucial for experimental efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of DC magnitudes and polarities applied to an ion trap's end-cap.
- To explore how these DC fields influence various stages of mass spectrometry experiments.
Main Methods:
- Applying varying DC potentials (magnitude and polarity) to the exit end-cap of a 3D quadrupole ion trap.
- Controlling DC fields during ion accumulation, mass analysis, ion isolation, ion/ion reactions, and ion activation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated increased ion capture and ejection efficiency during mass analysis.
- Showcased effective ion isolation with reduced AC amplitudes.
- Improved temporal control of ion population overlap and enabled broad-band collision-induced dissociation (CID).
Conclusions:
- DC field manipulation offers a general strategy to enhance 3D ion trap performance.
- These methods can improve various mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry experiments.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Mass 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...
01:19Inductively 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...
01:21Tandem 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...
01:13Mass 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...
01:12Electrospray 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...
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...
01:16Mass 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: