Time-of-Flight (TOF) mass spectrometry is a type of mass spectrometry that measures how long it takes ions to travel a fixed distance.
Simple explanation:
- Ionization:
The sample is turned into charged particles (ions). - Acceleration:
All ions are given the same amount of energy and sent down a long tube (called the flight tube). - Flight:
- Light ions travel faster.
- Heavy ions travel slower.
- Detection:
The detector measures the time each ion takes to reach it — this is the time of flight.
How it works:
- The mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) is found from how fast each ion travels.
- Short flight time → small m/z (light ion)
- Long flight time → large m/z (heavy ion)
In short:
TOF mass spectrometry separates ions based on how quickly they reach the detector — lighter ions arrive first, heavier ones arrive later.
By measuring their travel times, the instrument determines their mass-to-charge ratios (m/z).