A HIGH-PERFORMANCE MODULAR DATA SYSTEM FOR FOURIER-TRANSFORM ION-CYCLOTRON RESONANCE MASS-SPECTROMETRY

The three major components of a Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resona nce (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer include the vacuum system (including io n source), the magnet and a data system capable of performing the nece ssary instrument control for desired experiments. Most previous FTICR systems have used commercial data systems based on custom-built electr onics controlled by proprietary mini-computers developed in the early 1980's, Here we present a high-performance data system based on a pers onal computer running user-friendly Windows software and readily avail able commercial components contained in a VXI chassis and a minimal co mplement of simple custom electronics, The system uses a VXI pattern g enerator to control all aspects of the experiment, The flexibility of the pattern generator allows for performance of all current FTICR expe rimental sequences.