Parallel ion mass and ion mobility analysis
The present invention relates to a parallel IMS and MS measurement method where a sample flow is split and delivered to an IMS and a MS in parallel. A parallel acquisition MS/IMS method is used to supplement LC-MS and or MS data by using a synchronized MS/IMS acquisition.
1. An apparatus for identifying components in a sample comprising:
a sample flow that is split into a mass analyzer and an ion mobility based separator for parallel ion mass and ion mobility analysis;
wherein mass spectral data of the sample is acquired using the mass analyzer while substantially synchronously acquiring ion mobility data using the ion mobility based separator; and
wherein software modules are configured for normalization between mass spectral data and ion mobility data.
2. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the normalization is accomplished by using a timing index and/or a calibrant.
3. The apparatus in claim 2 , wherein the timing index is created based on the timing of each flow component's arrival at one or more analytical instrument.
4. The apparatus in claim 3 , wherein the analytical instrument can be, but not limited to: IMS, MS, conductivity detector, UV detector, diode-array or a detector.
5. The apparatus in claim 1 , further comprises a separation method prior to splitting the sample flow into the mass analyzer and the ion mobility based separator.
6. The apparatus in claim 5 , wherein the separation method is chromatograph, including GC, HPLC, or SFC.
7. The apparatus in claim 2 , wherein the timing index is created based on the components of the sample's chromatography properties whereby the resolution obtained using the LC separation is used as a reference to determine the timing index resolution.
8. The apparatus in claim 2 , wherein the calibrant is added to the sample flow or as one of the components of the sample.
9. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the software modules is used to control the ion mobility based separator.
10. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the sample flow comprises isomers.
11. The apparatus in claim 10 , wherein the isomers are constitutional isomers.
12. The apparatus in claim 11 , wherein the constitutional isomers is skeletal isomers, regioisomers, functional group isomers, or topoisomers.
13. The apparatus in claim 10 , wherein the isomers are stereoisomers.
14. The apparatus in claim 13 , wherein the stereoisomers are diastereomers, enantiomers, cis-trans isomers, conformers, rotamers, or atropisomers.