THE MASS-SPECTROMETER AS A DETECTOR FOR GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

The author reviews two basic areas pertaining to combined GC/MS/DS: the history of instrumental development and the application of mass spectrometry as a compound-specific detector for chromatographic analyses. In the historical review, the early combined GC/MS/DS instrument and the techniques from which this instrument was derived are contrasted with the instrument and techniques in use today. The various operational constraints of the instruments and their effects on later development are discussed in light of modern instrumentation encompassing these analytical disciplines. A section on applications reviews a variety of techniques available to enhance the use of a mass spectrometer as a compound-specific detector. Some detailed examples of these techniques are provided.