Thermo Scientific
TSQ Quantum XLS and TSQ Quantum GC User Guide
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Functional Description
This chapter describes the principal components of the TSQ Quantum XLS and TSQ
Quantum GC systems and their respective functions.
A functional block diagram of the TSQ Quantum XLS or TSQ Quantum GC system is
shown in
. A sample transfer line connects the gas chromatograph (GC) to the mass
spectrometer. The autosampler and GC are installed on the left side of the mass spectrometer.
In analysis by GC/MS, a sample is injected into a GC column. The sample then separates into
its various components. The components elute from the GC column and pass through the
transfer line into the mass spectrometer where they are analyzed. You can also use a direct
sample probe to introduce sample into the mass spectrometer.
Electron ionization (EI) or chemical ionization (CI) ionize sample molecules upon entering
the mass spectrometer. The ion optics focus and accelerate the resulting sample ions into the
mass analyzer where they are filtered according to their mass-to-charge ratios. An ion
detection system then produces a signal proportional to the number of ions detected. The
system electronics receive and amplify the ion current signal from the ion detection system.
That signal is then passed on to the data system for further processing, storage, and display.
The data system provides the primary mass spectrometer user interface.
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