Mass Spectrometer

Mass Spectrometer

An instrument used to determine isotopes in a sample and identify elements.

Vacuum Requirement

The mass spectrometer must operate under a vacuum to prevent air particles from ionizing and affecting the detector.

Ionisation

The first step in mass spectrometry where the sample is converted into ions.

Electron Impact

A technique of ionisation where high-energy electrons knock out outer electrons from a vaporized sample.

Positive Ions

Ions formed during electron impact, such as Ti+ from Ti(g).

Electrospray Ionisation

A technique where a sample in a volatile solvent is ionized without fragmentation, suitable for larger organic molecules.

Kinetic Energy (KE)

The energy of a particle, calculated as KE=1/2mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Acceleration

The second step in mass spectrometry where positive ions are accelerated to a constant kinetic energy.

Flight Tube

The area where ions travel; lighter ions move faster than heavier ions due to the same kinetic energy.

Time of Flight (T)

The time it takes for ions to travel through the flight tube, calculated as T=d/v.

Detection

The final step where ions generate a current upon reaching the detector, which is analyzed by a computer.

Mass/Charge Ratio (m/z)

A measurement used by the mass spectrometer to identify isotopes and their abundance.

2+ Ion Formation

The process where two electrons are removed from a particle, resulting in a 2+ ion with a specific m/z value.