Time-of-flight mass spectrometer for conducting high resolution mass analysis

Abstract

A first mass analysis is executed in a condition that gas is not introduced into a loop-flight chamber (), and a time-of-flight spectrum obtained in a data processor () is stored in a storage unit (). Next, a second mass analysis is executed on the same sample as the one used in the first mass analysis in a condition that a valve () is opened and helium gas (He) is introduced into the loop-flight chamber (), and the time-of-flight spectrum is obtained in the data processor (). If different kinds of ions having the same m/z value exit, these ions form a single peak in the first time-of-flight spectrum, while these ions appear as separate peaks in the second time-of-flight spectrum even though they have the same m/z value. This is because, in the second mass analysis, the ions collide with the gas and have different times of flight depending on their difference in size. A spectrum comparator () judges a change in the position or shape of the peak by comparing the two spectra, and outputs information relating to the difference in the size of the ions (the molecular structure, charge state, or molecular class of the ions), and the like. Accordingly, a wider variety of information than ever before can be provided.