In a mass spectrometry context, what does an ion trap allow for?

An ion trap is a vital component in mass spectrometry that primarily functions to store and isolate ions for analysis. Its design enables ions to be confined in a specific area using electric or magnetic fields, allowing for the manipulation of ion populations. This storage capability is essential as it facilitates various analytical processes, such as enhancing the resolution of mass measurements and enabling the study of ion fragmentation.

By isolating ions, an ion trap can improve the signal-to-noise ratio in the analysis, thereby enhancing the detection and quantification of specific ions of interest. Additionally, once the ions are trapped, they can be selectively fragmented, and the resulting fragments can also be analyzed, further adding to the versatility of this technique in mass spectrometry. The ability to store ions before measurement or fragmentation is crucial for achieving accurate and reliable results in analytical applications.