Resolution and mass range performance in distance-of-flight mass spectrometry with a multichannel focal-plane camera detector

Anal Chem. 2011 Nov 15;83(22):8552-9. doi: 10.1021/ac201876y. Epub 2011 Oct 24.

Abstract

Distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) is a velocity-based mass-separation technique in which ions are separated in space along the plane of a spatially selective detector. In the present work, a solid-state charge-detection array, the focal-plane camera (FPC), was incorporated into the DOFMS platform. Use of the FPC with our DOFMS instrument resulted in improvements in analytical performance, usability, and versatility over a previous generation instrument that employed a microchannel-plate/phosphor DOF detector. Notably, FPC detection provided resolution improvements of at least a factor of 2, with typical DOF linewidths of 300 μm (R((fwhm)) = 1000). The merits of solid-state detection for DOFMS are evaluated, and methods to extend the DOFMS mass range are considered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Copper / analysis
  • Lead / analysis
  • Mass Spectrometry / instrumentation*
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Tin / analysis
  • Zinc / analysis

Substances

  • brass
  • Lead
  • Tin
  • Copper
  • Zinc