Table 1.
List of common mass analyzers and instrument configurations detailing: mass resolution, approximate mass range, tandem MS/MS capabilities and acquisition speed. TOF = Time of Flight, TOF/TOF = Tandem TOF, IT = Ion Trap, FT-ICR = Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance, Q-TOF = Quadrupole Time of Flight, Da = Dalton.
| Mass Analyzer | Mass Resolution | Mass Range (Da) | MS/MS | MSn | Acquisition Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quadrupole | ~1000 | 50–6000 | Yes | No | Medium |
| Ion Trap | ~1000 | 50–4000 | Yes | Yes | Medium |
| TOF | 2500–40,000 | 20–500,000 | No | No | Fast |
| TOF/TOF | >20,000 | 20–500,000 | Yes | No | Fast |
| Orbitrap | >100,000 | 40–4000 | Yes | Yes | Slow |
| FT-ICR | >200,000 | 10–10,000 | Yes | Yes | Slow |
| Ion Mobility Q-TOF | 13,000/40,000 | Up to 40,000 | Yes | No | Fast |