Ion collision cross section measurements in Fourier transform-based mass analyzers

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Increasing demand for molecular structure analysis.
• Development of methods to measure ion collision cross sections in Fourier transform (FT) mass analyzers.
• Recent advancements in obtaining biomolecule collision cross sections within FT-based instruments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and discuss the novel technique for measuring ion collision cross sections in FT-based mass analyzers.
• To highlight the application of this technique in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) cells.
• To explore the potential of this method for orbitraps and quadrupole ion traps.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of ion collision cross sections within FT-based mass analyzers.
• Application in FT-ICR cells for biomolecule analysis.
• Adaptation and proposal for orbitraps and quadrupole ion traps.

Main Results:

• Successful acquisition of biomolecule collision cross sections in FT-ICR cells.
• Realization and proposal of similar methods for orbitraps and quadrupole ion traps.
• Demonstration of added ion structure analysis capability to FT-based mass analyzers.

Conclusions:

• The technique provides complementary ion structure information, valuable alongside tandem mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectroscopy.
• Despite remaining challenges, this method significantly enhances mass spectrometer capabilities for ion structure analysis.
• Presents a promising new tool for chemists and biochemists in molecular structure elucidation.