mass spectrometer

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a device for identifying the kinds of particles present in a given substance: the particles are ionized and beamed through an electromagnetic field and the manner in which they are deflected is indicative of their mass and, thus, their identity.

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mass spectrometer British  

noun

1. an analytical instrument in which ions, produced from a sample, are separated by electric or magnetic fields according to their ratios of charge to mass. A record is produced ( mass spectrum ) of the types of ion present and their relative amounts

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Etymology

Origin of mass spectrometer

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Using a very sensitive mass spectrometer to identify and measure chemical compounds, the researchers discovered that their early Earth simulation produced a wide range of sulfur biomolecules.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025

Then an instrument called a mass spectrometer will analyse any gases that are released.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2025

The researchers then pulled the fatty acids from the cells and used a machine called a mass spectrometer to identify the ratio of hydrogen atoms within.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2024

Just 1 day of data from Rosetta’s mass spectrometer, an instrument that can identify molecules by their specific weights, was enough for Hänni and her colleagues to find DMS.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 26, 2024

In some cases a mass spectrometer is used to analyze the products.

From LRL Accelerators The 184-Inch Synchrocyclotron by Laboratory, Lawrence Radiation