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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 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...

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 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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Experimental Methods for Trapping Ions Using Microfabricated Surface Ion Traps

Experimental Methods for Trapping Ions Using Microfabricated Surface Ion Traps

Published on: August 17, 2017

Printed circuit board ion trap mass analyzer: its structure and performance.

Dan Jiang¹, Gong-Yu Jiang, Xiao-Xu Li

¹Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, China.

Analytical Chemistry

|May 25, 2013

Summary

Researchers developed a low-cost printed circuit board ion trap (PCBIT) for mass spectrometry. This printed circuit board ion trap (PCBIT) offers adjustable electric fields for optimized performance and miniaturization potential.

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Area of Science:

Analytical Chemistry
Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation

Background:

Conventional ion trap (IT) mass analyzers can be complex and expensive.
Printed circuit board (PCB) technology offers potential for low-cost, miniaturized analytical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate the fabrication and performance of a novel printed circuit board ion trap (PCBIT).
To evaluate the PCBIT's capabilities for ion trapping, mass analysis, and tandem mass spectrometry.
To assess the suitability of PCBIT for developing portable mass spectrometers.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of a prototype PCBIT using custom-designed PCB electrodes with insulated electric strips.
Application of different voltages to PCB electrode strips to adjust electric field distribution.
Characterization of PCBIT performance, including mass analysis, ion isolation, and collision-induced dissociation (CID).

Main Results:

Successful demonstration of ion trapping, mass analysis, and CID using the PCBIT.
Achieved a resolving power over 1500 and a mass range of approximately 3000 Th.
Observed adjustable electric field distribution by modifying strip voltages.

Conclusions:

The printed circuit board ion trap (PCBIT) functions comparably to conventional ion traps.
Adjustable electric fields enable performance optimization.
The PCBIT's simple structure, low cost, and performance make it ideal for portable mass spectrometer development.