Masspektrometre

Masspektrometre is an analytical instrument used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. It works by ionizing a sample, separating the ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio, and then detecting and quantifying them. This process allows for the identification and quantification of different chemical components within a sample.

The basic principle of operation involves several key stages. First, the sample is introduced into the mass spectrometer and ionized, typically by electron ionization, chemical ionization, or electrospray ionization. The resulting ions are then accelerated by an electric field and enter a mass analyzer, which separates them according to their mass-to-charge ratios. Common types of mass analyzers include quadrupole, time-of-flight, and magnetic sector analyzers. Finally, a detector measures the abundance of each ion species, generating a mass spectrum that plots ion abundance against mass-to-charge ratio.

Mass spectrometry is a versatile technique with applications across numerous scientific disciplines. It is widely used in chemistry for determining molecular weights, identifying unknown compounds, and studying reaction mechanisms. In biology and medicine, it is employed for protein identification, drug discovery, and disease diagnosis. Environmental science utilizes mass spectrometry for pollutant analysis and monitoring. Furthermore, it finds use in fields like geology, forensics, and space exploration for analyzing the composition of various materials.