massasädespektroskopia

Massaspektroskopia, often shortened to mass spectrometry, is an analytical technique used to determine the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. This allows for the identification and quantification of different chemical substances within a sample. The process typically involves three main stages: ionization, mass analysis, and detection. First, the sample is ionized, meaning its molecules are converted into charged particles. Various ionization methods exist, such as electron ionization (EI) or electrospray ionization (ESI), chosen based on the nature of the sample. Once ionized, these ions are separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio by a mass analyzer, which employs electric or magnetic fields. Common analyzers include quadrupole, time-of-flight (TOF), and ion trap mass analyzers. Finally, a detector records the abundance of ions at each mass-to-charge ratio, generating a mass spectrum. This spectrum is a unique fingerprint of the compound, enabling its identification by comparing it to known spectral libraries or by interpreting fragmentation patterns. Mass spectrometry is a versatile tool applied across numerous scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, medicine, environmental science, and forensics, for purposes ranging from drug discovery and protein analysis to environmental monitoring and food safety.