ion-velocity spectrometer
Quick Summary
An ion-velocity spectrometer is an instrument used in mass spectrometry to analyze ions based on their velocity. This method, developed from early experiments by physicists like J.J. Thomson, separates ions by measuring how fast they travel.
One type is the time-of-flight mass spectrometer, which measures the time it takes for ions to travel a set distance. Ions with different masses but the same energy will have different velocities, allowing them to be sorted by their arrival time. Another approach involves using electric or magnetic fields to deflect ions. For instance, a magnetic field can cause ions with the same charge and momentum to follow a circular path, with the radius depending on their mass.12
These instruments are crucial components of mass spectrometers, which generally consist of an ion source, an analysis method (like ion-velocity analysis), and detectors.1234
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