Table 2.2

Table 2.2: A general comparison of mass analyzers typically used for electrospray. These values vary with instrument manufacturer.
Quadrupole Ion Trap Time-of-Flight Time-of-Flight Reflectron Magnetic Sector FTMS Quadrupole-TOF
Accuracy 0.01% (100 ppm) 0.01% (100 ppm) 0.02 to 0.2% (200 ppm) 0.001% (10 ppm) <0.0005% (<5 ppm) <0.0005% (<5 ppm) 0.001% (10 ppm)
Resolution 4,000 4,000 8,000 15,000 30,000 100,000 10,000
m/z Range 4,000 4,000 >300,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
Scan Speed ~a second ~a second milliseconds milliseconds ~a second ~a second ~a second
Tandem MS MS2 (triple quad) MSn MS MS2 MS2 MSn MS2
Tandem MS Comments Good accuracy, Good resolution, Low-energy collisions Good accuracy, Good resolution, Low-energy collisions Not generally applicable Precursor ion selection is limited to a wide mass range; growing number of applications Limited resolution, High-energy collisions Excellent accuracy and resolution of product ions Excellent accuracy, Good resolution, Low-energy collisions, High sensitivity
General Comments Low cost, Ease of switching pos/neg ions Low cost, Ease of switching pos/neg ions, Well-suited MSn Low cost Good accuracy, Good resolution Instrument is massive, Capable of high resolution High resolution, MSnhigh vacuum, super conducting magnet, expense Known for high sensitivity and accuracy when used for MS2