Session 1:

We will begin the course with an introduction to the technique which defines the instrumentation and typical applications for GC-MS. 

This session will mainly concentrate on the GC implications when using mass spectrometric detection. We will consider sample introduction, column dimensions, carrier type, and flow rate as well as stationary phase chemistries which are typical and problematic for use with MS detection. We will highlight how to identify problems as well as how to make sure they don’t happen in the future!

Session 2:

In this session we will consider the technology for interfacing GC with MS detectors and the column flow rates which are appropriate for use with various mass analyzer types.

We will fully consider the instrumentation and theory of electron ionization (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) alongside some illustrative application examples. We will discuss instrument autotune and how to interpret these to ensure that the instrument is working properly. We will expand the discussion to include a full treatment of how one might tune the instrument for optimum qualitative or quantitative data for your specific analytes.

We will conclude this session with a discussion of troubleshooting problems with ionization and instrument tuning and calibration.

Session 3:

In this session we will consider in-depth the instrumentation and working principles of the various mass analyzer types typically used with GC-MS analysis. This will include quadrupole, ion trap, time-of-flight, and magnetic sector instruments. We consider the theory of mass analysis, the ways in which instruments can be optimized, and we use some typical illustrative example applications.

We look at the various analyzer performance characteristics and the way in which they can be used in order to achieve various mass spectral experiment objectives.

Session 4:

Here we will investigate the theory and application of triple quadrupole GC-MS analysis which is growing in popularity. We consider the hardware set-up and the details of the spectral experiments which are used to achieve the various spectral experiment outcomes that we require.

We will also begin an investigation into interpreting the mass spectral output of a variety of mass analyzer types. We will consider the tools and techniques which are available to build a picture of our analyte molecules as well as to confirm near-miss library entries.

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