The ThermoScientific LTQ Orbitrap XL is a hybrid FT mass spectrometer, which combines a linear ion trap MS with the Orbitrap mass analyzer. It is providing high mass resolution (m/Δm > 100’000) and accuracy (Δm < 3ppm).
Additionally, the LTQ Orbitrap XL features two different possibilities to perform MSn experiments. Ions can be selected in the linear ion trap and fragmented either in the Linear Ion Trap (CID) or in the HCD Collision Cell.
Equipped with a Nanoelectrospray Ion Source (NSI), this instrument is a high-performance device for the analysis of very small sample volumes (2 – 10 µl) and low sample concentrations down to the picomolar range. It is used mainly for the determination of elemental compositions of organic compounds and the characterization of biomolecules.
Examples thereof are our studies on the gas-phase dissociation of oligonucleotides, their analogues, and adducts with organometallic drugs.