Enhancement of concentration range of chromatographically detectable components with array detector mass spectrometry
Methods and instruments for high dynamic range analysis of sample components are described. A sample is subjected to time-dependent separation, ionized, and the ions dispersed with a constant integration time across an array of detectors according to the ions m/z values. Each of the detectors in the array has a dynamically adjustable gain or a logarithmic response function, producing an instrument capable of detecting a ratio of responses or 4 or more orders of magnitude.
1. A method comprising;
subjecting a sample of interest to time-dependent separation;
ionizing the separated sample;
dispersing ions across an array of detectors according to the ions' m/z values; wherein each of the detectors in the array has a dynamically adjustable gain or a logarithmic (or other non-linear) response function; and
detecting a ratio of responses having 4 or more orders of magnitude while operating with a constant integration time.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the time-dependent separation is performed by a chromatograph.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising collecting data from the array of detectors and analyzing the data with computer algorithms to produce chromatograph peak profiles for each detector element.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising converting the peak profiles into indications of component detection.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the time-dependent separation is performed by capillary electrophoresis.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the time-dependent separation is performed by ion-mobility spectrometry.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting responses from at least 99% of the detectable components in the sample.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the sample is a complex natural sample.
9. An instrument comprising:
a chromatographic device configured to separate a sample of interest;
a mass analyzer configured to ionize the separated sample and send ions of various m/z values along physically disparate paths; and
an array of detectors wherein each of the detectors in the array has a dynamically adjustable gain or logarithmic response function;
wherein the instrument is capable of detecting a response ratio of 4 or more orders of magnitude while operating under constant integration time conditions; and
wherein the instrument detects responses from at least 99% of the detectable components in the sample.
10. The instrument of claim 9 wherein the mass analyzer is a distance of flight mass spectrometer.
11. The instrument of claim 9 wherein the mass analyzer is a magnetic sector mass analyzer.
12. The instrument of claim 9 wherein the sample is a complex natural sample.
13. An instrument comprising:
a mass analyzer configured to ionize a separated sample and send ions of various m/z values along physically disparate paths; and
an array of detectors wherein each of the detectors in the array has a dynamically adjustable gain or logarithmic response function;
wherein the instrument is capable of detecting a response ratio of 4 or more orders of magnitude while operating under constant integration time conditions; and
wherein the instrument detects responses from at least 99% of the detectable components in the sample.
14. The instrument of claim 13 wherein the mass analyzer is a distance of flight mass spectrometer.
15. The instrument of claim 13 wherein the mass analyzer is a magnetic sector mass analyzer.
16. The instrument of claim 13 wherein the sample is a complex natural sample.