Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry and Its Applications

Book excerpt: Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry and Its Applications provides a comprehensive discussion of quadrupoles and their applications. It proceeds from a general explanation of the action of radiofrequency quadrupole fields to the description of their utilization in mass analyzers—such as the quadrupole mass filter, the monopole, the three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap, and various time-of-flight spectrometers—and finally to the characteristic applications of quadrupoles. A multi-author format has been adopted to provide broader-than-usual viewpoint in the book. The book begins by explaining the principles of operation of quadrupole devices. These include ion trajectories and computer simulations of performance; analytical theory; numerical methods of calculation of performance, including the recently developed application of phase-space dynamics; and fringing fields and other field imperfections. Subsequent chapters provide design and performance evaluations of the mass filter, the monopole, ion traps, and time-of-flight instruments; and describe areas of application where quadrupole devices have made the greatest impact because of their particular advantages and disadvantages.