LCMS

Take liquid chromatography to the next level by updating your LC detector to a modern mass spectrometer. No longer are you limited to just UV, PDA, or other non-specific detection. With the Shimadzu LCMS-2020 analysts have the ability to obtain mass confirmation data to aid in the verification of compound identification.

Mass spectrometers are effective at minimizing risks related to overlooking impurities that can obscure peaks while allowing you to achieve the ultimate in separation, performance, and productivity. With its array of ultrafast capabilities, the single quadrupole LCMS-2020 mass spectrometer provides the ultimate in high-speed analysis with unrivaled sensitivity. It offers faster, more accurate detection of trace impurities present in pharmaceuticals samples, environmental pollutants, or other samples.

UFTechnology – It all began here…

Ultra-fast Analysis with Excellent Sensitivity

The ultra-high-speed LCMS-2020 improves the speed and reliability of HPLC/UHPLC analysis, offering dramatic improvements in lab productivity.

Three points yielding ultra high-speed, ultra high-sensitivity MS measurements
By incorporating the following innovative features into the LCMS-2020, the sharp peaks of ultra high-speed LC won’t be missed…

UFswitching (high-speed positive/negative ionization mode switching)
UFscanning (high-speed scan measurements)
UFsensitivity (superior sensitivity and repeatability thanks to newly developed ion optics)

High-speed polarity switching between positive/negative ion modes

Combining fast scan speeds with ultrafast polarity switching generates an LCMS/MS instrument that can rapidly analyze numerous compounds regardless of polarity, reach and exceed required levels of detection, and reproducibly quantitate even the narrowest peaks found in modern ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC). This mass spectrometer utilizes three uniquely redesigned pieces of hardware to form our UFtechnology, which gives enhanced sensitivity and allows us to be the leader in quantitative mass spectrometry.

To detect both positive ions and negative ions, measurements are performed while switching alternately between positive and negative ionization modes. The LCMS-2020 achieves ultra-high-speed polarity switching by adopting a high-voltage power source loaded with groundbreaking technology. This fast switching occurs in only 15 msec – the industry’s fastest switching rate for a single quadrupole mass spectrometer to date.

Fast scanning speeds

In MS scanning, a range of mass-to-charge ratios are determined in successive 0.1 m/z steps. This is controlled by applying a rapidly changing voltage to the quadrupole (quadrupole rods). By adopting new technology developed by Shimadzu, high ion transmission is achieved without sacrificing sensitivity or resolution, even during high-speed scans up to 15,000 u/sec. Very narrow UFLC peaks can now be properly detected in scan mode acquisition.

Dual Ionization Source (DUIS)

Operating Principle and Structure of Dual Ion Source

DUIS simultaneously ionizes samples using two ionization methods – electrospray ionization (ESI), which is suitable for high polarity compounds, and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), which is suitable for low-to-medium polarity compounds. Therefore, it is well-suited to ionizing a wide range of compounds, with polarity ranging from low to high. Since the DUIS-2020 does not switch or split sample between ESI and APCI, but runs a combination of each simultaneously, it can measure samples with high reliability and reproducibility without any loss of sampling points, even for analyses with narrow peaks obtained using an ultrafast liquid chromatograph.

DUIS enables ESI, APCI, Positive, or Negative Ionization All at the Same Time…
Significantly Improves the Efficiency of Analyzing a Wide Variety of Compounds at the Same Time or Analyzing Unknown Compounds

The following is an example of analysis using the dual ion source. Good response can be obtained for riboflavin by applying a protonated molecule and using ESI, but it is detected only slightly using APCI. A good response can also be obtained for thiamin using ESI, but it cannot be detected using APCI. In contrast, for calciferol, the protonated molecule can be detected using APCI, but ionization by ESI is inadequate. In this case, using the dual ion source enables obtaining a well-balanced chromatogram for each compound of interest. In addition, the high-quality spectrum provided by DUIS is as good as the one obtained using either the ESI or APCI ion source separately. This ion source is ideal for confirming the molecular weights of synthesized compounds or for simultaneously analyzing a wide range of compounds with polarity ranging from low to high.