Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify chemical compounds in various samples.It has a wide range of applications in fields such as chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and more.
Mass spectrometry instruments play a crucial role in performing these analyses. Here are some key aspects of mass spectrometry instruments:
Ionization Source: The first step in mass spectrometry is the ionization of sample molecules. Different ionization techniques are used, including electron impact, laser ablation, electrospray ionization (ESI), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), among others. The choice of ionization method depends on the nature of the sample.