A quadrupole TOF (time-of-flight) mass spectrometer is a type of instrument used in analytical chemistry to determine the mass and abundance of particles in a sample. It operates by ionizing the sample and then separating the ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio.
A quadrupole TOF mass spectrometer uses a combination of electric and magnetic fields to select and accelerate ions through a quadrupole mass filter. The ions then enter a TOF analyzer, which measures the time it takes for the ions to travel a known distance. This time is directly related to the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions, allowing for their identification and quantification.
The axial frequency in a quadrupole TOF mass spectrometer refers to the frequency at which the ions oscillate back and forth along the axis of the quadrupole mass filter. This frequency is dependent on the strength of the applied electric and magnetic fields and is used to select specific ions for analysis.
The axial frequency is important because it determines which ions will be selected and analyzed in the mass spectrometer. By varying the axial frequency, different ions can be targeted for analysis, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the sample composition.
The axial frequency is controlled by adjusting the strength of the electric and magnetic fields within the quadrupole mass filter. This can be done manually or through computer software, allowing for precise control over which ions are selected for analysis.