Genomics:GTL

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Table 4. Performance Factors for Different Mass Analyzers (acronyms)

Mass Analyzer	Most Common Ionization Modes	Resolving Power (FWHM)*	Mass Accuracy	Mass/Charge Range
Quadrupole	ESI	1000 to 2000	0.1 Da	200 to 3000
Time-of-flight (reflection or Q-TOF)	MALDI ESI	2000 to 10,000	0.001 Da	10 to 1,000,000 (200 to 4000 for Q-TOF)
Sector	ESI	5000 to 100,000	0.0001 Da	1000 to 15,000
Quadrupole ion trap	ESI	1000 to 2000	0.1 Da	200 to 4000
Linear trapping quad	ESI	1000 to 2000 (5000 to 10,000 in zoom scan mode)	0.1 Da	200 to 4000
Fourier transform ICR-MS	ESI MALDI	5000 to 5,000,000	0.0001 Da	200 to 20,000

*Full width at half maximum (FWHM) defines how close two peaks can be and still be resolved (resolving power). The mass divided by the FWHM is the resolving power.

Table 4 compares performance factors for the different mass analyzer technologies envisioned for use in the Molecular Machines Facility. Ionization modes, resolving power, mass accuracy, and mass-to-charge range are important factors qualifying these techniques for various applications.