kollisjonscell

A kollisjonscelle, also known as a collision cell, is a device used in mass spectrometry to increase the probability of ion-molecule collisions. This is particularly useful in tandem mass spectrometry, where the goal is to fragment ions and analyze the resulting fragments to gain information about the structure of the original molecule.

The kollisjonscelle is typically a small chamber or tube that is placed between the ion source and the mass analyzer. Ions generated in the ion source are directed into the kollisjonscelle, where they collide with a neutral gas. These collisions can result in the fragmentation of the ions, producing a mixture of smaller ions that can then be analyzed by the mass analyzer.

The design and operation of a kollisjonscelle can vary depending on the specific mass spectrometry technique being used. For example, in collision-induced dissociation (CID), the kollisjonscelle is typically operated at a high pressure to maximize the number of collisions. In electron capture dissociation (ECD), the kollisjonscelle is operated at a lower pressure to minimize the number of collisions and instead rely on the capture of an electron by the ion.

The kollisjonscelle plays a crucial role in tandem mass spectrometry, as it allows for the fragmentation of ions and the analysis of the resulting fragments. This information can be used to identify the structure of the original molecule, which is useful in a wide range of applications, including proteomics, metabolomics, and drug discovery.