A brief introduction is presented to the basic principles and application o
f a quadrupole-time-of-flight (TOF) tandem mass spectrometer. The main feat
ures of reflecting TOF instruments with orthogonal injection of ions are di
scussed. Their operation and performance are compared with those of triple
quadrupoles with electrospray ionization and matrix-assisted laser desorpti
on/ionization (MALDI) TOF mass spectrometers. Examples and recommendations
are provided for all major operational modes: mass spectrometry (MS) and ta
ndem MS (MS/MS), precursor ion scans and studies of non-covalent complexes:
Basic algorithms for liquid chromatography/MS/MS automation are discussed
and illustrated by two applications. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons,
Ltd.