Quadrupole Mass Spectrometers:: An Intuitive Look at the Math
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James J. Leary [1] ; Rebecca L. Schmidt [1]
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[1] James Madison University
James Madison University
Estados Unidos
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- Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 73, Nº 12 (December), 1996, págs. 1142-1144
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
The equations that describe ion trajectories within quadrupole mass spectrometers are examined as certain limiting conditions are approached. At these limits the simplified forms of the equations can be examined at the intuitive level. This approach circumvents the need to solve a challenging differential equation, but still provides chemists with a basis for understanding how operating parameters are varied to obtain spectra. The approach used complements a prior publication in this Journal that intuitively examined the physics associated with the design and operation of quadrupoles. In addition, a set of mathematical examples related to the operation of quadrupoles is provided that: 1) establishes the relationship between the ac and dc potentials that must be maintained, 2) examines the relationship between instrumental parameters and the mass of the singly charged ions traversing the quadrupole, and 3) illustrates the logic associated with how systematically varying the ac and dc potentials produces a mass spectrum.
