Signal-to-noise improvement in fourier transform quadrupole mass spectrometer

Abstract

In one aspect, a method of performing Fourier Transform (FT) mass spectrometry is disclosed, which comprises passing a plurality of ions through an FT mass analyzer comprising a plurality of rods arranged in a multipole configuration, where the plurality of rods include an input port for receiving ions and an output port through which ions can exit the mass analyzer. The method can further include applying at least one RF voltage to at least one of the rods so as to generate an RF field for radial confinement of the ions as they pass through the mass analyzer, and applying a resonant burst of an AC signal to at least one of said rods so as to remove ions having selected m/z ratios, e.g., m/z ratios within a desired range, from the ions introduced into the FT mass analyzer.