The term mass spectrometry is used for describing a powerful analytical technique that is used for quantifying known materials, for identifying unknown compounds inside a sample and for elucidating the structure and chemical properties of several molecules. The entire process comprises the conversion of the sample into gaseous ions, with or without involving the fragmentation process which is afterward characterized by their mass for charging ratios and relative abundances. This technique is basically used for studying the effects of ionizing energy on molecules. It depends upon chemical reactions in the gas phase in which during the formation of ionic and neutral species, sample molecules are consumed.
Charged particles are produced by a mass spectrometer from the chemical substances which are to be analyzed. Electric and magnetic fields are then used by the mass spectrometer for measuring the mass of the charged particles. For several kinds of chemical analyses which range from environmental analysis to the analysis of petroleum products, biological materials, and trace materials. Multiple ions from the sample under investigation is generated by a mass spectrometer which then separates them based on their specific mass-to-charge ratio and then records the relative abundance of each ion type. The first step in the mass spectrometric analysis of the compound is the production of gas-phase ions of the compound, basically by several electron ionizations. This molecular ionization goes through fragmentation. Every primary product ion is derived from the molecular ion which in turn goes through fragmentation and others. In the mass spectrometer according to their mass-to-charge ratio, the ions are separated and are detected in proportion to their abundance. A mass spectrum of the molecule is hence produced. It displays the results in the form of a plot of ion abundance versus mass-to-charge ratio. Information that concerns the nature and structure of their precursor molecule is provided by the ions. In the spectrum of a pure compound, if the molecular ion is present it can appear at the highest value of m/Z and offer the molecular mass of the compound. There are several kinds of mass spectrometers but all of them use magnetic and/or electric fields for exerting forces on the charged particles produced from the chemicals to be analyzed. A basic spectrometer comprises three parts which are - source through which the ions are produced from the chemical substances required to be analyzed. An analyzer in which the ions are separated according to the mass and a detector that produces a signal from the separated ions.
Dutco Tennant LLC supplies mass spectrometers having analyzers with both electric and magnetic sectors in the Middle East and UAE.
Mass Spectrometers for Gas Analysis
Surface Analysis Mass Spectrometers
Plasma Diagnostics Mass Spectrometers