ioonlõksmassispektromeetrid

Ion trap mass spectrometers are analytical instruments used to determine the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. They work by trapping ions within a defined electric or magnetic field, allowing for precise measurements. The core principle involves manipulating ions within a three-dimensional trapping volume. In a common configuration, the quadrupole ion trap, oscillating electric fields are used to confine ions. The ions are injected into the trap, and then the applied voltages are scanned. As the voltages change, ions of different mass-to-charge ratios become unstable and are ejected from the trap, striking a detector. The time at which each ion strikes the detector, or its ejection trajectory, provides information about its mass-to-charge ratio.

Ion trap mass spectrometers are versatile and can be used for a variety of applications, including proteomics, metabolomics, environmental analysis, and drug discovery. They are known for their sensitivity and ability to perform tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), where ions are fragmented within the trap and their fragments are then analyzed. This fragmentation process provides structural information about the molecules. Different types of ion traps exist, including linear ion traps and 3D quadrupole ion traps, each with specific advantages and limitations. Their relatively compact size and moderate cost have made them popular choices in many research and industrial laboratories.