Energy deposition during electron-induced dissociation

We report studies of the internal energy deposited during activation of mass-selected ions through electron-ion collisions. Characteristic fragmentations of the molecular ion of limonene and W(CO) (n/+) (n = 1-6) indicate that electron-induced dissociation in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer proceeds via multiple collisions and that the average internal energy deposited during the activation process can be selected to be similar to that associated with electron-impact ionization. Control of the degree of ion excitation through selection of the electron energy, flux, and interaction time with the ions of interest is demonstrated, and advantages of this promising activation technique are discussed.