Mass determination using ion mobility measurements

摘要

A method of mass spectrometry comprising: providing an algorithm or relationship that relates the ion mobilities of an analyte ion through three different gases to the mass of the analyte ion; measuring the ion mobilities of an analyte ion through first, second and third different drift gases; and using the measured ion mobilities and said algorithm or relationship to determine the mass of the analyte ion. Embodiments of the invention enable the mass of an analyte to be determined without having to know the specific properties of the analyte ion. The algorithm may be derived by using four different standard mass ions and measuring the ion mobilities through the three gases as the standard mass ions pass through them. The ion mobilities can be measured by measuring the drift time of the analyte ion through each of the gases. An electric field may be maintained in the drift region while the analyte ion is pulsed in each drift region.