Selective elimination of low‐molecular‐weight ions in MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry using a bipolar pulsed electrostatic particle guide

Abstract

This study addresses a problem inherent in the use of microchannel plates as detectors for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization. We have developed a unique new method of ion transport using fast bipolar pulsing of an electrostatic particle guide to provide ion deflection and enhanced ion transmission. This mode of operation effectively eliminates the intense low‐mass component of the spectrum which normally saturates microchannel ‐plate detectors, while at the same time transporting the higher‐mass component with high efficiency. Enhancement of the resulting signal‐to‐noise ratio has been achieved. Copyright © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.