Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
mass spectrometry, planar ion trap, electrical fields
College
Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract
Mass spectrometry has been a common analytical procedure for over fifty years. Today it is most commonly used to characterize and quantify unknown solutions, solids, and vapors in chemical and biochemical environments by determining the specific masses of atoms and molecules. Ion traps have become standard methods in analysis as they have dramatically improved the selectivity and resolution of mass spectrometers. Ion traps use applied voltages to create electrical fields in a small trapping volume. These fields interact with the molecules in the mass analyzer by trapping ionized molecules over a broad mass range. The trapped ions are eventually ejected towards the detector by descending or ascending mass and subsequently detected and characterized.
Recommended Citation
Miller, Ivan and Austin, Dr. Daniel
(2013)
"The Planar Ion Trap,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 2580.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2580