A Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer for Resolution of Low Mass Isotopes

The qualitative and quantitative identification of low mass isotopes in the mass range 1–6 u poses certain difficulties when attempting to achieve the required resolution with an instrument suitable for deployment within a process environment. Certain adjacent species present in the process sample (HT and D2) require a resolution greater than 930 to achieve an accurate measurement. We demonstrate here through simulation techniques that this level of performance required is unachievable using commercially available instruments. Using previously reported simulation techniques, this article demonstrates how the required performance for resolving the low mass isotopes can be achieved by a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS), which incorporates a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) constructed from hyperbolic electrodes and operated in zone 3 of the Mathieu stability diagram.

Graphical AbstractThe qualitative and quantitative identification of low mass isotopes poses certain difficulties when attempting to achieve the required resolution within a process environment.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (113 K)Download as PowerPoint slide