Tandem mass spectrometry in quadrupole ion trap and ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometers

Methods Enzymol. 2005:402:109-48. doi: 10.1016/S0076-6879(05)02004-5.

Abstract

Instruments that trap ions in a magnetic and/or electric field play a very important role in the analysis of biomolecules. The two predominant instruments in the category of trapping instrument are the quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer (QIT-MS) and the ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) MS. The latter is also commonly called Fourier transform MS (FT-MS). The QIT is an inexpensive, simple, and rugged MS used for various routine applications. The ICR-MS is an expensive, high-performance instrument with figures of merit for resolution and mass accuracy surpassing all other mass spectrometers. This chapter covers the basic principles of operation of these instruments, including the trapping/manipulation/detection of ions and various approaches used to activate ions to perform tandem mass spectrometry experiments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cyclotrons*
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Ions / chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry / instrumentation*
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*

Substances

  • Ions