Kinetic energy effects in an ion ensemble subjected to mass-selective isolation and resonance excitation: A simulation study

A simulation study is described of the behaviour of ions confined in a quadrupole ion trap during each of two separate operations of a tandem mass spectrometric experiment. The two operations are those of mass‐selective ion isolation and mass‐selective resonance excitation to the point of ion ejection from the ion trap. The method of mass‐selective ion isolation simulated is that of consecutive ion isolation. Simulation data indicate that the collisional history of the ions prior to the isolation process can greatly influence the degree to which ions survive this process. Simulation data for mass‐selective resonance ejection are compared with experimental data obtained with a Finnigan‐MAT ion trap mass spectrometer. In each operation, the facility with which ions absorb energy from the field within the ion trap, whether this field is derived from the R.F. drive potential or a supplementary potential, can determine the extent to which ions are retained within the ion trap during the two mass‐selective operations described.