User guide

System User Guide
D5033331 A
AB SCIEX TripleTOF
®
5600/5600+ Instruments
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System Information
The AB SCIEX TripleTOF
®
5600/5600+ system is designed for the qualitative and quantitative
analysis of chemical species. The system includes a mass spectrometer, a DuoSpray™ ion
source, the optional calibrant delivery system (CDS), and a computer running the Analyst
®
TF
software.
Theory of Operation
Mass spectrometry measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions to identify unknown compounds,
to quantify known compounds, and to provide information about the structural and chemical
properties of molecules.
The AB SCIEX TripleTOF 5600/5600+ system has a series of quadrupole filters that transmit
ions according to their mass-to-charge (m/z) value. The first quadrupole in this series is the
QJet
®
ion guide, which is located between the orifice plate and the Q0 region. The QJet ion guide
does not filter ions, but focuses them before they enter the Q0 region. By prefocusing the larger
ion flux created by the wider orifice, the QJet ion guide increases instrument sensitivity and
improves the signal-to-noise ratio. In the Q0 region, the ions are again focused before passing
into the Q1 quadrupole.
The Q1 quadrupole sorts the ions before they enter the Q2 collision cell. In the Q2 collision cell,
the internal energy of the ions is increased though collisions with gas molecules to the point that
molecular bonds break, creating product ions. This technique allows users to design experiments
that measure the m/z of product ions to determine the composition of the parent ions.
After passing through the Q2 collision cell, the ions enter the TOF region for additional mass
analysis, and then enter the detector. In the detector, the ions create a current that is converted
into a voltage pulse. These voltage pulses are counted, and the number of pulses leaving the
detector is directly proportional to the quantity of ions entering the detector. The instrument
monitors the voltage pulses and converts the information into a signal. The signal represents the
ion intensity for a particular m/z value and the instrument displays this formation as a mass
spectrum.
Data Handling
The Analyst TF software requires a computer running the Windows operating system. The
computer with the associated system software works with the system controller and associated
firmware to control the instrument and data acquisition. During system operation, the acquired
data is sent to the Analyst TF software where it can be displayed as either full mass spectra,
intensity of single or multiple ions versus time, or total ion current versus time.