mass spectrometern.
/ˌmas spɛkˈtrɒmᵻtə/, U.S. /ˈˌmæs ˌspɛkˈtrɑmədər/ An apparatus used to analyse substances by the separation of ions in a sample according to their mass-to-charge ratio, which produces a distinctive mass spectrum; esp. an apparatus of this kind in which the ions are detected electrically rather than photographically.The sample to be analysed is vaporized and ionized in a vacuum, and the resulting ions formed into a beam and accelerated through an electric field. They are then deflected differentially according to their mass, usually by passing through a magnetic field, before detection.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical assay or analytical chemistry > [noun] > acetimetry > spectrometry > mass spectrometry > apparatus
mass spectrograph1920
mass spectrometer1932
mass spectroscope1941
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > decomposition of light, spectrum > study of spectra > types of spectrometry or spectroscopy > [noun] > analysis of mass > without magnetic fields
mass spectrometer1932
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > decomposition of light, spectrum > study of spectra > types of spectrometry or spectroscopy > [noun] > analysis of mass > instrument
mass spectrometer1955
spectrograph1955
mass spectroscope1963
1932 Physical Rev. 40 429 A new type of mass spectrometer..in which no magnetic fields are used.
1955 New Biol. 18 66 It is possible by using a mass-spectrometer to determine the proportions of heavy nitrogen, N15, and the normally more abundant isotope, N14, in a given sample.
1969 D. Price & J. E. Williams Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry p. ix There are now about 300 time-of-flight mass spectrometers in use throughout the world.
1991 New Scientist 21 Dec. 13/1 It contains a mass spectrometer and airports use it to sniff..checked-in luggage for traces of gas from explosives.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1932