Development and Testing of a New Ion Trap Assembly (Summer Research Institute, PNNL Scope #16248)
EMSL Project ID
18410
Abstract
This summer I will be conducting research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in connection with the Interfacial and Condensed Phase Chemical Physics Summer Research Institute, which will be directly related to the development of a new aerosol matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) – tandem mass spectrometer at the University of Delaware. Currently at PNNL, a newly developed ion trap is being used for detection of gas phase organic species. Prior to my arrival, a similar ion trap will be machined and designed to be controlled by existing electronics and software. The main objective of this summer research is to become trained on the use and operation of the newly developed ion trap and complementary components. Basic testing of the ion trap analyzer will be conducted on a gas phase species such as common air pollutants. Chemical ionization and laser desorption will be investigated as possible ionization techniques. Method development and validation are also potential tasks to be completed at PNNL. After complete development and a thorough understanding of the ion trap are achieved, the ion trap assembly will be brought back to the University of Delaware for insertion into the new aerosol MALDI tandem (IT-TOF) mass spectrometer.While I am developing the ion trap component at PNNL, other members of the Johnston group will be adapting an existing single-particle time-of-flight mass spectrometer in our laboratory. The instrument is already configured for field measurements and contains all of the necessary pumps, gauges, and electronics for aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry; however, upgrades of various components will be made. The ion trap developed at PNNL will be mounted in place of the existing source region of the single particle TOF mass spectrometer.
The integration of the ion trap into the existing time-of-flight system will provide a convenient way to trap ions desorbed off the MALDI collection probe. A pulsed laser beam enters the ion trap collinear with the particle beam and irradiates the probe. The analyte ions are desorbed and immediately captured in the ion trap mass analyzer. Once trapped, the analyte ions of interest can be further investigated by using collision induced dissociation (CID). The CID fragment ions are then ejected into the reflectron time-of-flight mass analyzer for full mass range analysis. Thus, the use of tandem mass spectrometry provides for greater characterization of the analytes of interest.
Overall, my summer work at PNNL will be essential in the development of the new aerosol MALDI tandem mass spectrometer. Understanding the full potential of the newly developed ion trap mass analyzer will play a key role in the success of the new aerosol mass spectrometer.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2006-06-07
End Date
2007-01-05
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members