First performance results of a mobile high-resolution MR-ToF mass spectrometer for in-situ analytical mass spectrometry

A mobile multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS) has been designed, built and commissioned. While other mobile mass spectrometers are restricted to low or medium mass resolving power, this MR-TOF-MS allows for the first time for a mass resolving power exceeding 100.000 and a sub ppm accuracy in a transportable format. It can thus resolve isobars and enables to accurately determine the composition and structure of biomolecules. An atmospheric pressure interface provides compatibility to various atmospheric ion sources. The mass spectrometer part comprises an RFQ mass filter, ion cooler, ion trap, time-of-flight analyzer and detector. Supply electronics, DAQ and control system are mounted together with the spectrometer into a single frame with a total volume of only 0.8 m3. First results with the MR-TOF-MS are presented, and an overview of envisaged life science applications is given, such as realtime tissue recognition in electrosurgery, identification of mycotoxins and analysis of soil samples for environmental studies.