Waters Synapt ion Mobility Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry is a type of mass spectrometry technology that combines the high resolution and accurate mass measurement capabilities of a QTOF system with the ability to separate and analyze ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) and ion mobility, a measure of the time it takes for an ion to travel a certain distance through a gas. This technology is often used for the analysis of small molecules and biopolymers, such as peptides, proteins, and oligonucleotides.
The Synapt ion Mobility QTOF system consists of an ion source, a quadrupole mass filter, and a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer. The ion source is responsible for generating ions from the sample, which are then separated by the quadrupole mass filter based on their m/z ratio. The ions are then accelerated and pass through a drift tube, separated based on their ion mobility. The TOF mass analyzer measures the time it takes for the ions to reach the detector, and this information is used to determine the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.
One of the main advantages of Synapt ion Mobility QTOF mass spectrometry is its ability to provide high-resolution and accurate mass measurement, which allows for the identification and quantitation of small molecules and biopolymers with high precision. In addition, the ability to separate ions based on both their m/z ratio and ion mobility allows for the analysis of complex mixtures and the identification of isomers, which can be difficult to distinguish using other mass spectrometry techniques.
What is QTOF mass spectrometry?
Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry is a type of mass spectrometry technology that uses a combination of a quadrupole mass filter and a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer to identify and measure the masses of ions in a sample.
The quadrupole mass filter consists of four metal rods arranged in a square configuration, which are used to separate ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The ions are generated from the sample by an ion source and are then directed toward the quadrupole mass filter. The quadrupole mass filter uses electrical fields to selectively transmit ions of a specific m/z ratio through the rods and into the TOF mass analyzer while rejecting ions of other m/z ratios.
The TOF mass analyzer consists of a long tube with an ion detector at the end. The ions that pass through the quadrupole mass filter are accelerated and then pass through the tube. The time it takes for the ions to reach the detector is measured, and this information is used to determine the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.
QTOF mass spectrometry is known for its high resolution and accurate mass measurement capabilities, making it a powerful tool for identifying and quantifying small molecules and biopolymers. It is often used in various applications, including proteomics, metabolomics, and pharmaceutical analysis.
How does ion mobility mass spectrometry work?
Ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS) is a type of mass spectrometry that separates ions based on their size, shape, and charge, in addition to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). IM-MS is often used to analyze complex mixtures and identify isomers, which are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures.
In IM-MS, ions are generated from a sample by an ion source and are then directed into a drift tube, which is filled with a gas at a low pressure. The ions are accelerated and travel through the drift tube, where they are separated based on their ion mobility, which is a measure of the time it takes for an ion to travel a certain distance through a gas. Ions with a smaller size, shape, and charge will travel faster through the drift tube than ions with a larger size, shape, and charge.
After the ions have traveled through the drift tube, they are detected by a mass spectrometer, which measures the m/z ratio of the ions and identifies them based on their mass. The combination of the ion mobility separation and the mass spectrometry measurement allows for the identification and characterization of the ions in the sample.
IM-MS can be used in combination with other mass spectrometry techniques, such as quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry, to provide more information about the ions in a sample and improve the accuracy of the analysis.
