Resolving power (in mass spectrometry)

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Orange Book Entry

The ability to distinguish between ions differing in the quotient mass/charge by a small increment. It may be characterized by giving the peak width, measured in mass units, expressed as a function of mass, for at least two points on the peak, specifically for 50% and for 5% of the maximum peak height.

Related Terms

Mass Resolution

External Links

Reference:Marshall 2002 gives the following definitions:

Mass peak width (Δm_50%)

Full width of mass spectral peak at half-maximum peak height

Mass resolving power (m/Δm_50%)

A well-isolated single mass spectral peak

Mass resolution (m₂ ?????????????????????????? m₁ in Da, or (m₂ ?????????????????????????? m₁)/m₁ in ppm)

The smallest mass difference between equal magnitude peaks such that the valley between them is a specified fraction of either peak height

Mass precision

Root-mean-square deviation in a large number of repeated measurements

Mass accuracy

Difference between measured and actual mass

Mass defect

Difference between exact and nominal mass

JEOL Resolution Tutorial