3 Mass Spectrometer Manufacturers in 2023
This section provides an overview for mass spectrometers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 3 mass spectrometer manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Mass Spectrometer?
A mass spectrometer (MS) is an instrument that ionizes molecules in a sample and detects and identifies the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of the resulting ions.
The abbreviation "MS" is used internationally. When molecules are ionized by some ionization method, they are made to fly by electrostatic forces.
A mass spectrometer is an analytical instrument that separates and detects ions in flight according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) by electrical, magnetic, or other actions in a vacuum. The instrument mainly consists of a sample introduction section, an ion source, a mass separation section, and a detector.
There are several types depending on the ionization and mass separation methods, and they are used according to the measurement sample and application. Mass spectrometers can be used mainly for sample identification and component analysis of unknown samples. They can also distinguish and detect isotopes.
Uses of Mass Spectrometers
Mass spectrometers are used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of a wide range of molecules, from low-molecular compounds to high-molecular compounds such as proteins and synthetic polymers.
Because it is an effective analytical method for identifying known substances and determining the structure of unknown substances, it is widely used in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and other chemical and biological fields. Specifically, it is used in research and development, quality control, analysis, and testing related to various agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and naturally occurring compounds.
In recent years, since it has become possible to ionize proteins with large molecular weights, mass spectrometers are also used in the life science and medical fields.
Principle of Mass Spectrometers
The basic principle of mass spectrometer is as follows. The mass spectrum obtained by the following series of steps is shown with m/z as the abscissa and detection intensity as the ordinate.
- The sample is introduced into the instrument through the sample introduction section.
- The sample is ionized by the ion source.
- In the mass separation section, the sample is separated using the different magnitude of the action received from the magnetic and electric fields according to m/z, and detected by the detector.
Mass spectrometers can detect single charged ions, in which the sample molecule has only one charge, as well as multiply charged ions, which are charged with two or more charges, fragment ions produced by dissociation, or aggregate ions, which are produced by the association of samples with each other. Peaks usually have a unique distribution derived from the isotopic ratio of the original molecule.
Types of Mass Spectrometers
There are various types of mass spectrometers, which are classified primarily by the combination of the type of ion source and the type of mass separator. For example, "MALDI-TOF-MS" and "ESI-TOF-MS" are used.
1. Sample Introduction Section
Some mass spectrometers are combined with other instruments before the sample introduction section and are used in research and development and quality control. Examples include LC-MS combined with liquid chromatography, GC-MS combined with gas chromatography, and ICP-MS combined with inductively coupled plasma.
2. Ion Source
EI Method (Electron Ionization, Electron Ionization Method)
Accelerated electrons collide with thermally vaporized molecules (M) in a high vacuum. The electrons are then ejected from the molecule, producing radical cations (M+) called molecular ions.
ESI Mthod (ElectroSpray Ionization)
- First, a sample solution is introduced into a capillary to which a high voltage is applied.
- Atomizing gas (nebulizer gas) flows from the outside of the capillary to spray it, forming charged droplets.
- As the charged droplets move, the solvent evaporates and the surface electric field increases, and eventually the repulsive force between the charges exceeds the surface tension of the liquid, causing the droplets to split.
- The repetition of evaporation and splitting eventually releases sample ions into the gas phase.
MALDI (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization) Method
This is a method in which a sample is mixed in a matrix, such as a matrix aromatic organic compound, to form a crystal, which is then ionized by irradiating it with a laser. The applicable molecular weight range is extremely wide, from 1 to 10,000,000, and the greatest feature of this method is that it can stably ionize high-molecular-weight compounds such as proteins.
FAB (Fast Atom Bombardment) Method
This method ionizes sample molecules by colliding neutral atoms at high speed with a matrix such as glycerin and a sample solution dissolved in an organic solvent, which is stirred well.
Other methods include the CI, FD, APCI, and ICP methods.
3. Mass Separation Section
Quadrupole (Q)
This method uses four electrode rods to apply high-frequency voltage to ions emitted from an ion source. The electrode rods are subjected to DC and AC voltages to create an electric field that allows only ions with a certain m/z to reach the detector.
This method can be used to measure all ions in the desired m/z range up to about m/z 4000.
Double-focusing Type
This is one of the mass separators of the magnetic sector type. In the magnetic sector type, ions are passed through a magnetic field and the Lorentz force that they undergo changes in their flight paths. The double-focusing type, in particular, combines the magnetic and electric field sectors to achieve both velocity and directional convergence of the ions.
Time-Of-Flight (TOF)
A method that accelerates an ionized sample by means of an electric field of known field strength and detects the time difference between the arrival of each ion at the detector; the higher the m/z, the slower the speed of flight and the longer it takes for the ions to reach the detector. In principle, there is no limit to the mass range that can be measured.
Other methods include Ion Trap (IT), Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FT-ICR), and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), AMS).
List of 3 Mass Spectrometer Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
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International Crystal Laboratories
Mass Spectrometers
Company Overview
International Crystal Laboratories, ICL, was founded in 1962 and is based in Garfield, New Jersey. ICL serves the spectroscopy, applied spectroscopy, and analytical chemistry industries and end users. ICL’s product categories include transmission windows & optics, FTIR calibration films, sample cards, powders, cuttings, IR, UV, optical spectroscopy sampling, laboratory presses, die sets, laboratory supplies, and spectro-optic lab supplies. Examples of ICL’s products include circular disks, magneto crystals, crystal cuttings for grinding, Gemini FTIR gas analysis cells, liquids, and solids, polishing kits, and laboratory grinding mills.
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Mass Spectrometer Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
- Skyray Instruments: 1992 (31 years ago)
Company with a History
- Skyray Instruments: 1992 (31 years ago)
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