The Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System (AMDIS) is a computer program that extracts spectra for individual components in a GC/MS data file and identifies target compounds by matching these spectra against a reference library. It was developed at NIST with support from the United States Department of Defense and is freely available.
Available for download is the current release of AMDIS (Version 2.71, July 2012 Release).
Starting from version 2.63, AMDIS uses a new Help file format; the CHM or compiled html help model. You can also download it separately and examine it independently of AMDIS. The Help file is also provided separately in PDF format.
As a new user to AMDIS you are urged to read Chapters 1 and 2 of the help file, these chapters will help you understand the basic features of AMDIS. If you already know AMDIS, you will find the tutorial style approach of Chapter 2 very easy to follow as well as informative.
For a brief explanation of AMDIS and an overview of the program:
The complete manual for AMDIS is available as a PDF file or as a Microsoft™ (CHM) document. The Microsoft™ (CHM) document also includes additional test data for AMDIS. The manual and sample data package are archived in a ZIP file, with additional instructions in the readme file. This data is supplied for use with the "Quick Start AMDIS" located in Appendix A of the AMDIS Help system.
Algorithms: Details of algorithms employed in AMDIS are described in the paper "An Integrated Method for Spectrum Extraction and Compound Identification from GC/MS Data" which appeared in the Journal of the American Society of Mass Spectrometry in Volume 10, 1999, pages 770-781; this paper is available in PDF format: AMDIS Method Paper
AMDIS Download Page -- download current versions of AMDIS and/or the manual
The NIST MS Search Program v 2.0 can be downloaded separately.
While users may develop their own target libraries, in order for AMDIS to search the NIST/EPA/NIH Mass Spectral Library, a copy of the current version of this library (NIST 02 or later) as well as the NIST MS Search Program (version 1.6 or higher) is required. NIST Mass Spectral Library is available only from distributors. The NIST MS Search Program upgrades can also be downloaded.