Instruments
Bruker 12T solariX FT-ICR-MS
The Bruker 12T solariX Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) allows for unmatched capabilities for high resolution mass spectrometry. Its ability to achieve ultra-high resolution (ca. 2 million) combined with the ability to have multiple ionization sources makes it very well suited for characterizations of small molecules. The 12T FT-ICR is based on the tendency of charged particles in a magnetic field to gyrate with a frequency that is proportional to their mass and charge. ESI, APCI, and MALDI sources are equipped on this instrument.
PerkinElmer AxION TOF
The PerkinElmer Axion Time of Flight (TOF) offers increased resolution over other instruments, increasing confidence with mass measurements. The TOF was designed with a unique detector that allows it to quantitate samples from the UHPLC. This instrument may be equipped with ESI, APCI, and DSA. The DSA requires little to no sample preparation, and provides fast and accurate results. It is perfect for the analysis of solid or liquid samples that may be difficult to prepare for other instruments.
PerkinElmer Clarus 600 – Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS)
The PerkinElmer Clarus 600 GC-MS is best for volatile to semi-volatile samples. The principle of GC involves the volatilization of compatible analytes by heating the sample, and transporting components via a gaseous mobile phase through an appropriate column containing stationary phase. The mass spectrometer (MS) is a versatile, high-throughput detector which ionizes and detects the sample.
PerkinElmer NexION 300D with ICP
The PerkinElmer NexION 300D is a single quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled with Inductively Couple Plasma (ICP) ionization. This makes it a unique piece of equipment as it is able to perform trace analysis of metal ions, which play an important role in environmental analysis, as well as nano scale preparations. This instrument is only equipped with ICP ionization.
PerkinElmer QSight Triple Quad
The PerkinElmer QSight is a triple quadrupole, which by design makes it our most sensitive instrument. Sensitivity levels allow for limits of detection as low as 50 femto-moles injected onto the column. This low sensitivity becomes useful when studying metabolomics or other difficult samples. This instrument is equipped with ESI.
Ionization Sources
ESI
The ESI (Electrospray Ionization) source is the standard atmospheric pressure ion source for the measurements of singly charged samples and multiple charged samples such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. The sample solution is introduced through the nebulizer assembly into the spray chamber, where it is subjected to the ESI process by means of an electrical field between the inner chamber wall and the spray shield, and with the aid of a nebulizer gas (N2) (Apollo II ESI & Apollo II Dual ESI/MALDI FTMS Users Manual).
APCI
The APCI (Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization) source is best used for the analysis of polar and non-polar analytes. APCI nebulization takes place in a heated vaporizer tube. The heat evaporates the spray droplets resulting in gas-phase solvent and sample molecules. On leaving the vaporizer tube, gas phase solvent molecules are ionized by a current regulated discharge from a corona needle. By transferring their charge, the solvent ions convert sample molecules to sample ions. This ionization process also requires a countercurrent flowing drying gas (Apollo II ESI & Apollo II Dual ESI/MALDI FTMS Users Manual).
MALDI
MALDI (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization) is used to ionize larger molecules (including polymers and biomolecules) with minimal fragmentation.
DSA
The Direct Sample Analysis (DSA) is a type of ambient ionization source. Ambient mass spectrometry is classified by the ability to sample and ionize analytes directly from surfaces with little to no sample preparation. The DSA operates on principles of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and therefore is ideal for the analysis of moderately polar to non-polar small molecules. The DSA is fitted to the PerkinElmer AxION Time of Flight mass spectrometer. The DSA offers high throughput screening of a variety of compounds.