Theoretical Background

The basics of mass spectrometric techniques available in our laboratory are overviewed briefly. There are many excellent reviews and publications discussing many topics of mass spectrometry. The section ”Theoretical Background" was comprised of the cited references and supplied manuals. The content of "Theoretical Background" is orientated to those who want to understand the techniques used for analysis. This site is not supposed to cover completely all subjects of mass spectrometry. A more demanding and curious reader is referred to the cited references or other resources of information.

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to determine the mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio of ions. All mass spectrometers operate according to a standard scheme: once formed in an ion source, ions are electrostatically directed into a mass analyzer, where they are separated according to m/z and finally detected. Yet, there is a diversity of mass analyzers, ionization modes, and detectors available for the benefit of a researcher.

Technological advances of the last decades led to breakthrough developments also in mass spectrometry. High-resolution accurate mass spectrometry, very expensive and quite rare in the past, expanded and became available to wide circles of researchers from different scientific fields. Coupled with separation techniques, mass spectrometry is the frontier and the only realistic instrument for the analysis of metabolomics, proteomics, environmental samples, petrochemical products, and other complex mixtures.

Mass spectrometers are sophisticated instruments developed using modern cutting-edge scientific and technological achievements. The best physicists and engineers in the field perfected the geometries of analyzers and ion-transfer optics, selected state-of-the-art materials, and developed precise electronics for controlling the instruments.

Having these tools, mass spectrometrists can catch, ionize, brake-it-in-fly, and detect virtually any molecule at high accuracy and sensitivity.

Methods of Ion Generation in the Mass Spectrometry

Electron Ionization (EI)
Chemical Ionization (CI)
Electrospray Ionization (ESI)
Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI)
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)
Cold electron Ionization (Cold IE)

Mass Analyzers

Recommended literature

Scott A. McLuckey and J. Mitchell Wells, Mass Analysis at the Advent of the 21st Century, Chem. Rev., 2001, 101, 571.

Michael T. Bowers, Alan G. Marshall, Fred W. McLafferty, Mass Spectrometry: Recent Advances and Future Directions, J. Phys. Chem., 1996, 100, 12897.

Fred W. McLafferty / František Tureček, Interpretation of Mass Spectra, fourth edition, University Science Books, Sausalito, California, 1993.

K.B. Tomer, Separations Combined with Mass Spectrometry, Chem. Rev., 2001, 101, 297.

S.G. Villas-Boas, S. Mas, M. Akesson, J. Smedsgaard, J. Nielsen, Mass Spectrometry in Metabolome Analysis, Mass Spectr. Rev., 2005, 24, 613.

W.M.A Niessen, State-of-the-art in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, J. Chromatogr. A., 1999, 856, 179.