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FTICR mass spectrometry calculations

This page is divided into two sections so that users may calculate the maximum theoretical resolution using different methods:

  1. Use of instrument parameters for calculation of the theoretical maximum resolution for a chosen peak, the frequency of the peak of interest, and the acquisition time, under ideal conditions.
  2. Calculation of the theoretical maximum resolution and the frequency of a peak of interest when the user directly defines the acquisition time.

The acquisition time is determined by the dataset size and the sampling frequency (the highest frequency, correlated with the lowest m/z detected within a given mass spectrum), in accordance with the Nyquist theorem.

Note: in both cases, the maximum resolution is calculated based on ideal conditions, such as a perfect vacuum and no space-charge effects.


1) Acquisition time based upon instrument parameters:


Parameters:

Dataset size (eg. 512 k, 1024 k, 2048 k, etc.):
k
Low m/z limit of mass spectrum:

Magnetic field strength:
tesla
m/z of peak of interest:



Results:

Maximum FWHM resolution:

Acquisition time (Tacq):
seconds
Frequency of peak of interest:
Hz


2) For a defined acquisition time:


Parameters:

Magnetic field strength:
tesla
m/z of peak of interest:

Acquisition time (Tacq):
seconds




Results:

Maximum FWHM resolution:

Frequency of peak of interest:
Hz