Patent ID: 7196323
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A mass spectrometry process for analyzing a mixture of substances using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, wherein said mixture is ionized before the analysis, which comprises the following steps: a) selecting a mass/charge quotient (m/z) of an ion formed by ionization in a first analytical quadrupole (I) of the mass spectrometer, b) fragmenting the ion selected by applying an acceleration voltage in a following quadrupole (II) which is filled with a collision gas and functions as a collision chamber, c) selecting a mass/charge quotient of the fragment ion in a downstream quadrupole (III), and d) analyzing the mass/charge quotients of additional ions present in the mixture as a result of the ionization, wherein the following quadrupole (II) is filled with a collision gas but no acceleration voltage is applied during the analysis; and wherein the steps (a) to (c) and step (d) may also be carried out in reverse sequence.