Optimization of ion trajectories in a dynamically harmonized Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance cell using a...

With the recent introduction of the dynamically harmonized Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) cell, the complexity of tuning has expanded drastically, and fine-tuning of the direct current voltages is required to optimize the ion cloud movement. As this adjustment must typically be performed manually, more reliable computational methods would be useful.

Here we propose a computational method based on a design of experiments (DoE) strategy to overcome the limits of classical manual tuning. This DoE strategy was exemplarily applied on a 12 T FT-ICR instrument equipped with a dynamically harmonized ICR cell. The chemometric approach, based on a central composite face (CCF) design, was first applied to a reference material (sodium trifluoroacetate) allowing for the evaluation of the primary cell parameters. Eight factors related to shimming and gating were identified. The summed intensity of the signal corresponding to the even harmonics was defined as one quality criterion.

The DoE response allowed for rapid and complete mapping of cell parameters resulting in an optimized parameter set. The new set of cell parameters was applied to the study of an ultra-complex sample: Tholins, an ultra-complex mixture that mimics the haze present on Titan, was chosen. We observed a substantial improvement in mass spectrometric performance. The sum of signals related to harmonics was decreased by a factor of three (from 4% for conventional tuning to 1.3%). Furthermore, the dynamic range was also increased, which in turn led to an increase in attributed peaks by 13%.

This computational procedure based on an experimental design can be applied to any other mass spectrometric parameter optimization problem. This strategy will lead to a more transparent and data-driven method development.