Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

The Thermo Scientific Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer is at the forefront of mass spectrometry innovation, seamlessly integrating the precision of quadrupole mass selection with the unparalleled resolution and accuracy of Orbitrap technology. Designed for researchers and professionals who demand superior analytical capabilities, the Q Exactive system delivers high-resolution, accurate-mass (HR/AM) measurements, making it an indispensable tool in complex analytical applications. Whether your focus is on drug discovery, proteomics, metabolomics, or environmental analysis, the Q Exactive is engineered to deliver results with exceptional clarity and reliability.

Features of Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

• Unmatched Resolution: Achieve up to 140,000 resolution, allowing you to detect and differentiate even the most subtle molecular differences within complex matrices.
• High Sensitivity: The innovative S-Lens technology enhances ion transmission, boosting sensitivity and enabling the detection of low-abundance compounds.
• Rapid Polarity Switching: Fast scan-to-scan polarity switching in both MS and MS/MS modes enables the detection of a broader range of compounds in a single analytical run.
• Versatile API Source: The Ion Max ion source supports multiple atmospheric pressure ionization (API) modes, including ESI, APCI, and APPI, ensuring flexibility in sample introduction and ionization.
• Advanced Signal Processing: Spectrum multiplexing and cutting-edge signal processing ensure UHPLC-compatible data acquisition speeds, optimizing throughput without sacrificing data quality.

What We Can Offer?

Drug Discovery and Development

We offer cutting-edge support for drug discovery and development with our Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer. Our system provides high-resolution, accurate ption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This facilitates a streamlined development process and optimized drug efficacy.

Proteomics

In proteomics, we provide advanced capabilities with the Q Exactive for comprehensive protein analysis. Our system delivers high-resolution and efficient fragmentation, enabling detailed peptide and protein spectra generation for accurate identification and quantification. We can assist with analyzing post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and glycosylation, and integrate with specialized software for in-depth proteomic studies.

Metabolomics

For metabolomics research, we offer exceptional performance in metabolite analysis and biomarker discovery using the Q Exactive. Our system's high-resolution capabilities allow for detailed metabolic profiling, and its fast polarity switching supports simultaneous analysis of diverse metabolite classes. We can help you conduct large-scale metabolic studies with precision and efficiency.

Food Safety

In food safety analysis, we provide precise detection of contaminants, additives, and adulterants in food products. The Q Exactive's high sensitivity and resolution enable accurate identification and quantification of substances such as pesticide residues and food additives. We can support you in ensuring food safety and meeting regulatory compliance with reliable and detailed analytical data.

Environmental Analysis

For environmental analysis, we offer robust solutions for monitoring pollutants in water, soil, and air. Our Q Exactive system delivers high-resolution, accurate-mass detection to precisely identify and quantify contaminants like heavy metals and organic pollutants. We can assist with environmental monitoring and help you ensure compliance with regulatory standards, supporting effective pollution control and sustainability efforts.

Sample Requirements for Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

Preparation and Handling Guidelines

• Extraction: Employ suitable extraction techniques to isolate analytes efficiently. Ensure full recovery of target compounds.
• Filtration: Use appropriate filters (e.g., 0.22 µm) to remove particulates that may interfere with the analysis.
• Dilution: Adjust sample concentration to fit within the dynamic range of the Q Exactive. Avoid introducing contaminants.
• Concentration: Concentrate samples if analytes are at low concentrations, ensuring not to evaporate samples to dryness.
• Stability: Store samples under recommended conditions to prevent degradation and avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles.

Technical Specifications

• Mass Range: Broad dynamic range covering a wide spectrum of m/z ratios, from small molecules to large biomolecules.
• Resolution: Up to 140,000, providing unmatched clarity in distinguishing closely related molecular species.
• Sensitivity: Enhanced by S-Lens technology, the system achieves low detection limits, crucial for trace analysis.
• Scanning Modes: Supports various scanning modes including Full MS and MS/MS, with rapid polarity switching for comprehensive compound detection.
• Data Acquisition Rate: UHPLC-compatible speeds, ensuring high throughput without compromising data integrity.

The Structure of Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

The Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer mainly includes an ion source, a stacked-ring ion guide (S-lens), a quadrupole mass filter, a curved linear trap (C-trap), a Higher Energy Collisional Dissociation (HCD) cell, and an Orbitrap mass analyzer. Samples can be introduced into the ion source by various methods. And the injection flatapole transmits ions from the source to the quadrupole. The quadrupole rod assembly works as ion transmission device with the possibility to filter the transmitted ion according to its mass-to-charge ratios. The ions are transferred into the C-Trap and then injected into the Orbitrap mass analyzer to get mass spectra. In addition, ions are passed through the C-Trap into the HCD cell and conduct MS/MS experiments in combination with the quadrupole mass filter.

Schematic of the Q Exactive mass spectrometer

Ion source

A) Ion max ion source and B) Ion source mount

In Q Exactive, the atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source can form gas phase sample ions and serve as the interface between liquid chromatography (LC) and the MS. The API source consists of the Ion Max ion source and the ion source interface. The Ion Max ion source can be configured to different API modes, including atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), and electrospray ionization (ESI). The NSI model is available by using a separate nanospray ionization (NSI) probe. By using ion source mount on the front side, the ESI, APCI, and APPI probes can be interchanged without using tools. The ion source interface includes an ion transfer capillary (assists in desolvating ions), two cartridge heaters, a heater block, a platinum probe sensor, a vent prevent ball (preventing air from entering the vacuum manifold), an ion sweep cone (channels the sweep gas towards the entrance of the tube), a tube lens, and a skimmer.

Ion optics

The ion optics focuses the ions produced in the ion source and transmit the ions to the C-trap. The injection flatapole, a square array of flat metal electrodes, acts as an ion focusing device. The bent flatapole which transmits ions through a 90° arc from the injection flatapole to the quadrupole removes the neutral gas jet and solvent droplets. The combination of inner and outer Turner-Kruger (TK lens) focuses the ion beam into the quadrupole and acts as vacuum baffle between bent flatapole and quadrupole. The quad exit lens focuses the ions coming from the quadrupole into the transfer multipole which acts as another transmission device. And the split lens is used to start and stop the injection of ions into the mass analyzer. S-lens in the source region increases the transmission of ions into the Q Exactive instrument, increases the scan rate by reducing the ion injection time, or increases sensitivity by injecting more ions in those instances when the ion injection time has reached its maximum (max ion time).

Quadrupole mass filter

The quadrupole, a square array of hyperbolic-profile round rods, is located between the TK lens and the transfer multipole. In the quadrupole, the opposite rods in the array are connected electrically. RF and DC voltages are applied to the rods. Voltages of the same amplitude and sign are applied to the rods of each pair, but the voltages applied to the different rod pairs have equal amplitude but opposite sign. The RF-to-DC-voltage ratios and their values determine the range of mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) ratios to be transmitted through the quadrupole mass filter. For each injection, controlled by the split lens, the quad RF amplitude and DC voltage are set to fixed values. Under these conditions, only ions of a certain range of m/z ratios are maintained within bounded oscillations as their velocity carries them through the mass filter.

Curved linear trap

The ions entering the C-trap can lose their kinetic energy by collisions with nitrogen collision gas (bath gas) to prevent them from leaving the C-Trap through the gate. The nitrogen collision gas is utilized for dissipating the kinetic energy of injected ions and for cooling them down to the axis of the C-Trap. Voltages on the end apertures of the C-Trap (entrance and exit apertures) are elevated to provide a potential well along its axis. These voltages may be later ramped up to squeeze ions into a shorter thread along this axis.

HCD cell

The sample ions can be passed through the C-trap into the HCD collision cell which consists of a straight multipole mounted inside a metal tube. The front of the tube is equipped with a lens for tuning transmission and ejection to or from the C-Trap. A potential gradient is applied to the collision cell to provide fast extraction of ions. The fragment spectra generated in the HCD cell and detected in the Orbitrap show a fragmentation pattern comparable to the pattern of typical triple quadrupole spectra.

Orbitrap mass analyzer

Schematic view of the Orbitrap and an example of a stable ion trajectory

The heart of Orbitrap mass analyzer is an axially-symmetrical mass analyzer, which consists of a spindle-shape central electrode surrounded by a pair of bell-shaped outer electrodes. As shown in Figure 4, in the Orbitrap mass analyzer, stable ion trajectories combine rotation around an axial central electrode with harmonic oscillations along it. The frequency of these harmonic oscillations along the z-axis depends only on the ion's m/z and the instrument. After ions of all m/z are extracted to the mass analyzer and image current detection takes place. Two split halves of the outer electrode detect the image current produced by the oscillating ions. The instrument obtains the frequencies of these axial oscillations and therefore the m/z of the ions through Fourier Transformation.