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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of mass spectrometer

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mass spectrometer

The researchers created them with FRIB's Low Energy Beam and Ion Trap, or LEBIT, a high-precision mass spectrometer.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

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

In order to achieve such levels of accuracy, current testing requires a device called an inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometer.

From Science Daily ● May 14, 2024

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

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