Massintervallet

Massintervallet is a term used in physics and data analysis to denote the smallest resolvable interval between two mass values within a dataset or spectrum. The word combines mass and interval with a diminutive suffix in several European languages, where it conveys a narrow, defined range rather than a single discrete value. In practice, massintervallet describes the bin width or mass step chosen when constructing a mass spectrum, fitting mass peaks, or reporting mass distributions.

Determination of the massintervallet depends on instrument resolution, calibration accuracy, and the statistical handling of data. A finer massintervallet provides higher apparent resolution but can reduce the count in each bin, increasing statistical fluctuations. Conversely, a larger massintervallet smooths the distribution but may obscure close-lying features. In mass spectrometry and particle-physics analyses, the massintervallet is often tied to the instrument’s intrinsic mass resolution, for example through a relation akin to Δm ≈ m/R, where R is the mass-resolving power.

Practically, researchers select a massintervallet to balance resolution with statistical robustness, and they report it alongside measured masses and uncertainties. The choice can influence peak identification, background modeling, and the extraction of physical parameters. There is no universal standard for massintervallet; it is a method-dependent parameter that should be stated clearly in results.

See also mass resolution, mass spectrometry, histogram binning.