High‐resolution multi‐reflection time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer with atmospheric pressure interface

Abstract

RationaleAtmospheric pressure interface multi‐reflection time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (API‐MRTOF‐MS) has the potential to be a rapid and high‐resolution analytical tool for versatile applications in chemistry, biology, environmental science, and medicine.MethodsThe ions were reflected in a mass analyzer via electrostatic mirrors and folded flight path. Therefore, flight distances were significantly increased. The ion flight path of the API‐MRTOF‐MS was extended from meters to over 1 km, and the mass resolution was increased. Furthermore, the mass analysis could be completed at around 10 ms due to the rapid response of TOF‐MS.ResultsA high‐resolution API‐MRTOF‐MS approach is successfully developed in this study. The mass resolution could achieve 116 050 (full widths at half maximum [FWHM]) for Cs+ ions using an atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization within a total TOF of only 18 ms. An ion transmission efficiency of over 50% was achieved after 600 cycles.ConclusionsThe analytical performance of the newly developed API‐MRTOF‐MS demonstrated that it is suitable for high resolution and rapid analysis in many fields.