Resolving power (in mass spectrometry)

Obsolete Template

Orange Book

ORANGE BOOK DEFINITION IUPAC. Analytical Division. Compendium of Analytical Nomenclature (the Orange Book). Definitive Rules, 1979 (see also Orange Book 2023)
Resolving power (in mass spectrometry)
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.
IUPAC 1997 Orange Book Chapter 12
Index of Orange Book Terms

Gold Book

GOLD BOOK DEFINITION IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the Gold Book). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A.Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997).
Resolving power (in mass spectrometry)
Resolving power (mass spectrometry) http://goldbook.iupac.org/R05321.html 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 at fifty percent and at five percent of the maximum peak height. mass resolving power http://goldbook.iupac.org/M03730.html Commonly and also acceptably defined in terms of the overlap (or 'valley') between two peaks. Thus for two peaks of equal height, masses and , when there is overlap between the two peaks to a stated percentage of either peak height (10% is recommended), then the resolving power is defined as . The percentage overlap (or 'valley') concerned must always be stated. Source: PAC, 1978, 50, 65 (Recommendations for symbolism and nomenclature for mass spectroscopy) on page 72
IUPAC Gold Book
Index of Gold Book Terms

See also

• Resolution (mass spectrometry)

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