LTQOrbitrap

LTQ Orbitrap is a family of hybrid mass spectrometry instruments developed by Thermo Fisher Scientific that combines a linear ion trap (LTQ) with an Orbitrap mass analyzer. In this configuration, precursor ions are first measured with high mass accuracy and resolution in the Orbitrap, while selected ions are isolated and fragmented in the LTQ to produce MS/MS spectra for peptide sequencing and structural characterization. The arrangement enables simultaneous high-resolution surveying of intact ions and fast, sensitive tandem mass spectrometry.

The LTQ Orbitrap operates with electrospray ionization and supports data-dependent acquisition, in which the instrument selects abundant precursor ions for fragmentation in real time based on the MS1 scan. This arrangement provides high mass accuracy for precursor ions and robust, sensitive MS/MS data for identifications, which has made the platform widely used in proteomics and related fields. The system can perform multiple stages of mass spectrometry, generating comprehensive data sets for complex samples.

Variants in the LTQ Orbitrap family include models such as LTQ Orbitrap XL and LTQ Orbitrap Velos, among others. These versions offer different balances of scan speed, resolution, and sensitivity to suit a range of workflows, from large-scale proteomics studies to targeted analyses. The LTQ Orbitrap has contributed significantly to the adoption of high-resolution mass spectrometry in routine laboratory workflows, providing reliable mass accuracy and detailed structural information for molecules analyzed.