Neutral particle mass spectrometry with nanomechanical systems

Eric Sage, Ariel Brenac, Thomas Alava, Robert Morel, Cécilia Dupré, Mehmet Selim Hanay, Michael L. Roukes, Laurent Duraffourg, Christophe Masselon and Sébastien Hentz ()
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Eric Sage: Université Grenoble Alpes
Ariel Brenac: Université Grenoble Alpes, INAC-SP2M
Thomas Alava: Université Grenoble Alpes
Robert Morel: Université Grenoble Alpes, INAC-SP2M
Cécilia Dupré: Université Grenoble Alpes
Mehmet Selim Hanay: Applied Physics, and Bioengineering, Kavli Nanoscience Institute, California Institute of Technology
Michael L. Roukes: Applied Physics, and Bioengineering, Kavli Nanoscience Institute, California Institute of Technology
Laurent Duraffourg: Université Grenoble Alpes
Christophe Masselon: Université Grenoble Alpes
Sébastien Hentz: Université Grenoble Alpes

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-5

Abstract: Abstract Current approaches to mass spectrometry (MS) require ionization of the analytes of interest. For high-mass species, the resulting charge state distribution can be complex and difficult to interpret correctly. Here, using a setup comprising both conventional time-of-flight MS (TOF-MS) and nano-electromechanical systems-based MS (NEMS-MS) in situ, we show directly that NEMS-MS analysis is insensitive to charge state: the spectrum consists of a single peak whatever the species’ charge state, making it significantly clearer than existing MS analysis. In subsequent tests, all the charged particles are electrostatically removed from the beam, and unlike TOF-MS, NEMS-MS can still measure masses. This demonstrates the possibility to measure mass spectra for neutral particles. Thus, it is possible to envisage MS-based studies of analytes that are incompatible with current ionization techniques and the way is now open for the development of cutting-edge system architectures with unique analytical capability.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7482

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