DANI Master TOF MS A- Plus

Significance of the Topic

The ability to acquire high­-density, full­-spectrum data in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is critical for both routine target analyses and comprehensive non­-target screening. Fast Time­-of­-Flight (TOF) acquisition enhances qualitative confidence, quantitative fidelity and retrospective data mining while preserving spectral accuracy across a wide dynamic range.

Objectives and Study Overview

This whitepaper presents the design and performance of the DANI Master TOF MS A-Plus system, a short­-flight tube TOF mass spectrometer optimized for GC/MS applications. The goal is to demonstrate how acquisition speed, spectral fidelity and dynamic range combine to deliver high sensitivity, accurate quantitation and robust identification of known and unknown compounds.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The DANI Master TOF MS A-Plus employs a continuous 70 eV electron impact source and a fast­-pulsing repeller that generates up to 1 000 spectra per second across the entire mass range. A reflectron doubles the ion flight path to improve resolution (FWHM > 2 000) while an analogue electron multiplier ensures a linear dynamic range of five orders of magnitude.

• Time­-of­-Flight flight tube with reflectron for high resolution and mass accuracy
• Continuous ion source and high­-speed repeller (thousands of pulses/sec)
• Analogue electron multiplier detector for wide dynamic range (10⁵)
• Full­-spectrum acquisition: every mass, every replication

The TOF MS A-Plus integrates seamlessly with the DANI Master GC, enabling fast oven heating/cooling, digital flow control and support for narrow-bore columns. A complete autosampler line (Master SHS, DHS, P&T, TD) further expands capabilities for volatile and semivolatile analyses.

Main Results and Discussion

• Acquisition speed up to 1 000 spectra/sec delivers dense data points for precise peak definition, even with narrow peaks from fast GC separations.
• Spectral fidelity is preserved across the chromatographic peak, enabling accurate deconvolution of co‐eluting compounds and reliable library matching (NIST scores > 800 for halogenated fragments).
• Extended dynamic range ensures quantitative linearity over five orders of magnitude in both chromatographic and spectral domains.
• High resolution (FWHM > 2 000) achieved via reflectron refocusing supports isotopic pattern accuracy necessary for confirmation of chlorinated and brominated analytes.
• In flavors and fragrances, run times for essential oil profiling are reduced sixfold (e.g., Nutmeg Oil from 38 to 8 min) without loss of resolution; over 100 compounds per sample are identified with high match scores.
• In food safety, acrylamide is quantified down to 20 ppb with isotopic internal standard and benzene is detected at < 0.1 µg/kg (LOD ~ 0.004 ng/g) with R² > 0.999 in beverage matrices.
• For forensic/toxicology applications, fast GC­-TOF workflows support rapid screening of illicit drugs, metabolites and adulterants in biological extracts.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The combination of high throughput, full­-spectrum acquisition and wide dynamic range allows analysts to:

• Perform simultaneous target quantitation and non­-target screening without method changes.
• Retrospectively mine data for newly identified compounds.
• Accurately quantify trace analytes in complex matrices with minimal sample preparation.
• Enhance productivity in QA/QC, environmental monitoring, food safety, flavor/fragrance formulation and forensic investigations.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging analytical demands will drive integration of TOF GC/MS with advanced data processing, machine learning for automated deconvolution, and real-time decision support. Further miniaturization of electronics, coupling with multidimensional GC techniques and expanded high-throughput autosampling will enhance sensitivity and throughput for regulatory compliance and research applications.

Conclusion

The DANI Master TOF MS A-Plus delivers unprecedented speed, sensitivity and spectral fidelity for GC/MS analyses. Its ability to acquire full spectra at kilohertz rates, combined with robust dynamic range and resolution, makes it a versatile tool for both routine quantitation and comprehensive non-target investigations across diverse application fields.