The development of the quadrupole ion trap storage/reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

The development and performance of the quadrupole ion trap storage/reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer (IT/ReTOF MS) is presented herein. This novel hybrid instrument combines the resolution, sensitivity, and selectivity of the quadrupole ion trap with the speed, high mass capability, and simplicity of the TOF to produce a uniquely versatile and powerful device. The IT/ReTOF mass spectrometer's performance with electrospray (ESI), atmospheric pressure plasma discharge (APCI), and reduced pressure plasma discharge external ionization sources as well as matrix assisted laser desorption (MALDI) and resonance enhanced multiphoton (REMPI) internal ionization sources is reported. The innovative feature of this device is that the trap enables coupling of time-of-flight, an inherently pulsed technique, with continuous ionization sources, ESI and APCI, with nearly 100% duty cycle. Further this duty cycle is independent of the experimental repetition frequency. The ability of the IT/ReTOF MS to store ions from 10$\mu$s to 9s enhances resolution through extended storage, enhances sensitivity through signal integration, and adds a degree of selectivity (selects a trapped m/z range) prior to TOF mass analysis. Resolutions of 3300 at m/z 1060 and 6200 at m/z 1347 for ESI and MALDI sources respectively, and limits of detection (S/N = 3) in the single femtomole regime are demonstrated.Ph.D.Analytical chemistryPure SciencesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/129292/2/9423269.pd