Easy-to-Use Mass Spectrometers

Mass spectrometry is used to identify organic compounds and contaminants through analysis of their ion fragments and has many diverse applications. Agilent Technologies Inc. (Palo Alto, CA, USA) provides core electronic and bio-analytical measurement tools for electronics, communications, life science research, and environmental and petrochemical industries. The company's new 6000 series of spectrometry systems includes five classes of instruments, including the company's first triple quadruple (triple quad) and quadruple time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometers.

Each of these LC/MS instruments includes Agilent's proprietary autotune technology, which automatically calibrates the instrument with the click of a mouse, optimizing sensitivity and mass accuracy. All the 6000 series mass spectrometers will be compatible with the Agilent multi-mode ion source technology, which is capable of simultaneously operating electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, saving repetition of experiments. In addition, a credit-card sized chip replaces traditional columns and eliminates 50% of the fittings and connections normally required in an LC/MS system.

Each instrument has integrated LC and MS software for a single point of instrument control and data analysis. Agilent is also introducing a range of application-specific software programs to allow researchers to quickly obtain results in a broad range of life science and other markets.

The Agilent 6410 triple quadruple provides femtogram sensitivity, is reliable, and is reasonably priced. It is used primarily for environmental, food safety, forensics and pharmaceutical applications. The Aglilent 6510 Q-TOF offers attomole sensitivity, routine mass accuracy, and enables fast data acquisition. It is expected to become the instrument of choice for proteomics research.



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