Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a powerful laboratory analysis that is used to identify compounds and valuable chemical and compound evaluation in the smallest amounts. This common analysis is used to create a detailed charting of compounds to physicians, astronomers and biologists.

The history of spectrometry is over a hundred years in the making and was originally developed by chemist J.J. Thomson in 1913. In 1918, the world saw the first functioning mass spectrometer that modern designs still follow. It was over 100 times more accurate than the original models. Then in 1919, Thomson's student, Francis William Aston built a functioning mass spectrometer and went on to identify the isotopes of several elements.

Today, spectrometry is used for very exact and detailed compound information and chemical profiling. This system is used every day in labs all over the world in many situations. It is used to:

-detect illegal drugs

-determine toxicity levels in humans postpartum

-detect steroid components in athletes

-determine molecular composition of space matter

-locate oil deposits and petroleum by measuring soil and rock composition

-monitor fermentation processes for the biotech industry

-evaluate contamination and disease in animal species

-evaluate gene damage and development

These are just a few examples of how spectrometry is used. One infamous use of a spectrometer was for the Manhattan Project, which involved using spectrometry to isolate the isotopes in uranium necessary to build the atomic bomb. Today, most industries use it to monitor and determine compound composition in many industries and in humans and animals.

Spectrometry equipment basically consists of three basic components: an ion source, a detecting system and a mass analyzer. Simply put, the spectrometry machine excites the molecules in order to detect their activity, isolates their isotopes, analyzes their composition and then converts the information into a detailed chart or graph.

Modern day spectrometry is more advanced than ever and allows for a refined process to isolate and evaluate chemical compounds.