5: MASS SPECTROMETER SYSTEMS
Deciding the appropriate sample introduction system, ionization technique, and mass analyzer are the major variables in deciding what type of mass spectrometer to use. Operating a mass spectrometer also requires understanding how these are integrated into an operating spectrometer system for acquiring and processing mass spectra. The details of how the data acquisition system work will vary from instrument to instrument and from one manufacturer to another. However, the basics will include control over the vacuum system, the source region, the mass analyzer and the detector.