The Q2 quadrupole in all TSQ Series II mass spectrometers is an active collision cell. Technically, it is a chamber that encloses an RF-only quadrupole ion guide where collision-induced dissociation of ions can take place if argon (or nitrogen) gas is present. The collision cell has an axial field down its length to speed up throughput. This design allows up to 600 SRM transitions per second, with the exception of the TSQ Endura and TSQ Quantiva mass spectrometers.

NOTE

For the TSQ Endura and TSQ Quantiva mass spectrometers, the maximum number of SRM transitions per second is 500.

For the TSQ Altis, TSQ Quantis, and TSQ Fortis (second generation); TSQ Quantiva and TSQ Endura (first generation) mass spectrometers, the Q2 quadrupole is a square-profile quadrupole rod assembly. The rods of the quadrupole assembly are bent into a 90-degree arc, which reduces the footprint of the instrument, prevents the transmission of unwanted neutral species to the detector, and dramatically lowers the noise level in the scan data.

Q2 quadrupole separated from the active collision cell housing for the first and second generations of TSQ Series II mass spectrometers
1234
No.DescriptionNo.Description

1

EL21, EL22, and EL23 lenses

3

EL31, EL32, and EL33 lenses

2

Active collision cell housing

4

Q2 quadrupole

For the TSQ Altis Plus, TSQ Quantis Plus, and TSQ Fortis Plus (third generation) mass spectrometers, the collision cell is updated. The design of this updated collision cell includes new dimensions, an optimized quadrupole rod geometry and a new PCB support structure that results in better ion transmission efficiency.

Q2 quadrupole for the TSQ Plus mass spectrometers separated from the collision cell housing
12
No.DescriptionNo.Description

1

Collision cell housing

2

Quadrupole 2 (Q2) and lenses separated from the collision cell housing