HYDROCARBON CHARACTERIZATION BY ULTRAHIGH-RESOLUTION FOURIER-TRANSFORM ION-CYCLOTRON RESONANCE MASS-SPECTROMETRY

The ultrahigh-resolution capabilities of Fourier transform ion cyclotr on resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) have been demonstrated for accurate mass measurements of complex hydrocarbon mixtures. Ultrahigh resolution is achievable over a wide mass range by the use of stored w aveform inverse Fourier transform (SWIFT) ejection to eliminate space- charge effects. The mass measurement stability under different ionizat ion conditions eliminates the need of mass reference standards during acquisition of sample spectre, thereby increasing sensitivity of the a ccurate mass measurements under low-voltage electron ionization condit ions.