In mass spectrometry, where are the sample components selectively monitored?

In mass spectrometry, the mass analyzer is the component responsible for selectively monitoring the sample components based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The mass analyzer separates ions according to this ratio, allowing for the identification and quantification of different components within the sample.

The operation of the mass analyzer relies on the generation of ions in the ion source, which then gets filtered based on their mass characteristics. By selectively monitoring these ions, the mass analyzer provides specific data that can be used to understand the composition of the sample. This is crucial for applications in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, environmental testing, and proteomics, where precise identification of compounds is essential.

The data system interprets and presents the information obtained from the mass analyzer, but does not conduct the monitoring itself. Similarly, the ion source is where the sample is ionized, and the detector is responsible for measuring the ions after they have been analyzed but does not perform the selective monitoring of the sample components.