Compound identification using multiple spectra at different collision energies

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for compound identification using multiple spectra that are a function of a variable instrument parameter that affects the intensity of fragment ions. A plurality of acquired fragment ion spectra that are a function of a variable instrument parameter for at least one ion are received from a mass spectrometer using a processor. The at least one ion is identified by comparing rates of change of mass intensity, with respect to the variable instrument parameter, for acquired and known fragment ions using the processor. Specifically, one or more acquired rates of change calculated for acquired fragment ions from the plurality of acquired fragment ion spectra are compared with one or more known rates of change calculated for one or more stored fragment ions of one or more known compounds in a database of known compounds.