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Related Concept Videos

Mass Spectrometers01:16

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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:
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Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview01:19

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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...
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Mass Analyzers: Common Types01:19

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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...
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Mass Analyzers: Overview01:13

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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...
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Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to determine the molecular mass and molecular formula of a compound. The basic principle of mass spectrometry is to generate ions from the analyte molecule and measure these ion abundances against their molecular mass.  One common type of ionization, known as electrospray ionization or EI, bombards the analyte molecules in the gas phase with high-energy electron beams. The electron beams displace an electron from the molecule and leave...
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry01:21

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Tandem mass spectrometry is a technique that uses multiple mass analyzers in series to obtain a higher selectivity and signal-to-noise ratio for the analyte. Instruments with multiple analyzers separated by an interaction cell enable secondary fragmentation and selected study of the fragment ions.
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Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Sample Preparation for Probe Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
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Pocket-Size "MasSpec Pointer" for Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Yuze Li1,2, Junyu Chen1,2, Lingwei Meng1,2

  • 1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.

Analytical Chemistry
|September 27, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A wireless, pocket-size mass spectrometry (MS) device, the MasSpec Pointer, enables on-site chemical detection. This portable arc discharge ionization source offers stable quantification and broad sample compatibility for field applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Instrumentation

Background:

  • Conventional ambient ionization sources for mass spectrometry (MS) often require bulky accessory equipment, limiting their use in field detection.
  • The need for portable, user-friendly MS solutions for on-site analysis is growing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a wireless, compact, and battery-powered ambient ionization source for mass spectrometry.
  • To demonstrate the device's capability for rapid, on-site chemical detection of various sample types.

Main Methods:

  • A pocket-size device, the "MasSpec Pointer," was engineered using arc discharge powered by a Li battery.
  • It generates a stable 5600 V, 20 kHz plasma jet, cooled by a mini diaphragm pump for efficient sampling.
  • The device operates in both positive and negative ion modes for versatile analysis.

Main Results:

  • The MasSpec Pointer achieved a low limit of detection (<0.1 ng/mL for atrazine) with good quantification performance (RSD of 3.8%).
  • It successfully identified double-bond locations in fatty acid isomers without derivatization.
  • Real-world applications demonstrated detection of agrochemicals on an apple and daily chemicals on skin.

Conclusions:

  • The wireless, portable MasSpec Pointer significantly advances the potential for on-site chemical detection using mass spectrometry.
  • This "point-and-shoot" device, when coupled with a miniature MS, paves the way for non-professional field chemical analysis.