COURSE OVERVIEW
Who is this course for?
Users of GC-MS equipment, or anyone interested in learning the analytical capabilities afforded by this type of instruments.
Previous Knowledge
No previous knowledge of mass spectrometry is necessary, but an understanding of the fundamentals of gas chromatography is beneficial.
What you will learn
- How the different components of the mass spectrometer work with the gas chromatograph, from the transfer line to the vacuum pumps
- How ions are produced, filtered and detected, and the alternative ways different instruments achieve this
- How tuning affects the instrument and the data generated, and how to benefit from this knowledge
- The rich plethora of information that can be acquired and how to optimise instrument settings for high data quality
COURSE OUTLINE
Chromatographic Considerations
- Advantages of using MS vs other GC detectors
- Column and ferrule selection
- Gas purity
Ionisation
- Electron Impact
- Chemical Ionisation
- The Ion source
MS Hardware
- Why use a vacuum?
- Controlling and monitoring vacuum
- Quadrupole mass analysis explained
- Matthieu stability diagrams
- Other Analysers
- Electron multipliers and detector electronics
Tuning and Calibration
- Purpose of tuning
- Tuning compounds
- Explanation of auto-tune voltages
- Troubleshooting from the auto-tune
- User tuning and voltage ramping
Quantitation and Qualitative Analysis
- Scan & SIM modes
- High sensitivity data acquisition
- Peak Purity
- Library Matching
- Internal Standards