AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha 2.0 Mass Spectrometer

JMS-T2000GC

When Analytical Challenges Become More Complex

Analytical laboratories are increasingly challenged to identify unknown compounds, analyze complex mixtures, and distinguish chemically similar materials.
Many investigations require more than simply detecting compounds. Scientists often need to determine the identity of compounds and understand their chemical properties.
For many samples, conventional electron ionization (EI) and mass spectral library searches alone may not provide sufficient information for compound identification. As a result, additional analytical information is often needed to fully interpret the results.
Whether supporting research, quality control, failure analysis, environmental studies, or product development, laboratories need technologies that deliver deeper insight into increasingly complex samples.

GC-Alpha: Identify Unknowns with Confidence

JMS-T2000GC AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha Mass Spectrometer
GC-Alpha was designed to address these analytical challenges.
By combining high-resolution accurate-mass GC-TOFMS, multiple ionization techniques, and intelligent software tools on a single platform, GC-Alpha provides complementary analytical information for confident chemical characterization and identification.
Whether identifying unknown compounds, investigating degradation products, performing deformulation or failure analysis, or analyzing complex mixtures, GC-Alpha enables scientists to gain deeper molecular insight into their samples, helping answer analytical questions that would otherwise be difficult to resolve.
Together, these complementary capabilities provide a powerful analytical approach to investigating complex chemical questions.

What You Can Achieve with GC-Alpha

Deeper Molecular Insight

GC-Alpha provides multiple independent analytical data points, helping scientists better understand the chemical composition and characteristics of complex samples.

Broader Structural Information

By combining complementary ionization techniques, GC-Alpha provides molecular and structural information that would be difficult to obtain with a single ionization method.

From Unknown Peaks to Identified Compounds

Using msFineAnalysis AI, intelligent structure analysis software, GC-Alpha enables scientists to identify compounds, including peaks that conventional mass spectral library searches cannot identify.

Flexibility Across Industries

From biological/life science to plastics/polymer, energy, chemistry, food/plant, flavor/fragrances, environmental, semiconductor, petroleum and petrochemical, and academic laboratories, GC-Alpha offers the flexibility to address a wide range of analytical applications.

The ultimate GC-MS system that pursues the ultimate in performance and functionality, the JMS-T2000GC AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha, has evolved into version “2.0” with the integration of a fully automated standard sample inlet and msFineAnalysis AI.

It enables automatic structural analysis of unknown compounds from comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) data, revolutionizing the conventional approach to qualitative analysis using GC-MS.

Performance of AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha

Aiming for high performance while keeping it simple, the AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha 2.0 uses two new Key Technologies.

New high-performance hardware for the discerning user 

The AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha 2.0 is the 7th generation JEOL GC-TOFMS since the original AccuTOF™ GC.

The AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha 2.0 employs orthogonal-acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer (oaTOFMS) with dual stage reflectron, an ideal ion optical system realizing both high ion transmission (= sensitivity) and ultra-high mass resolving power.

A new generation of analysis software for simple, speedy operation 

A new workflow has been devised to identify unknown compounds by GC-MS. In this workflow, the data analysis is performed by integrating the data obtained by hard ionization (EI) and the data obtained by soft ionization (FI, PI, CI) in order to identify the analytes present in a sample.

msFineAnalysis software streamlines the operation and adds a new function in which 2 similar samples can be directly compared for differential analysis. This new, enhanced version of msFineAnalysis allows the operator to easily accomplish qualitative analysis of unknown compounds as well as for compounds that are unregistered in the EI mass spectral libraries.

High performance for both qualitative and quantitative analysis

Four “High” specifications and two “Wide” specifications achieved simultaneously

The JMS-T2000GC AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha 2.0 is a high-performance GC-MS system that simultaneously realizes high mass resolution, high mass accuracy, high sensitivity, high speed data acquisition, wide dynamic range, and wide mass range.

The high mass resolution and high mass accuracy offers unprecedented qualitative analysis results. The high-speed data acquisition can be used for advanced GC-MS measurements such as comprehensive two-dimensional GC (GCxGC), while the wide dynamic range is useful for not only quantitative analysis but also for qualitative analysis of complex mixtures. The wide mass range is especially useful for direct MS measurements, and high sensitivity enables unprecedented information about trace components.

The AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha 2.0 is truly a high-performance GC-MS system that removes the limitations for analysis.

The standard EI ion source with ultra-high sensitivity is capable of trace quantitative analysis.

Other ion sources are also sensitive enough for qualitative analysis and can be used in a wide range of applications.

The standard EI ion source with ultra-high sensitivity is capable of trace quantitative analysis.
Instrument Detection Limit: IDL=18.7 fg
Eight sequential measurements of 100 fg of octafluoronaphthalene (OFN) were obtained by using the standard EI ion source. The instrument detection limit (IDL) is calculated based on the peak area and reproducibility of the extracted ion chromatogram for the molecular ion. An IDL of 18.7 fg was achieved for the system.
Wide Dynamic Range: 4 orders
OFN at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1,000 pg/uL (4 orders) were measured using the standard EI ion source and a high degree of linearity was confirmed. The wide dynamic range is useful not only for quantitative analysis but also for qualitative analysis of complex mixtures with different concentrations.
GCxGC/EI TICC of diesel fuel
GCxGC/EI TICC of diesel fuel
For GCxGC and Fast GC analyses, the chromatographic peaks are very narrow, thus requiring a mass spectrometer that supports high-speed data acquisition. The AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha is a good match for these advanced chromatographic techniques because it can acquire data at up to 50 spectra per second.
FD mass spectrum of polystyrene 5200
FD mass spectrum of polystyrene 5200
One of the features of time-of-flight mass spectrometers is their ability to measure a wide mass range. The upper limit of an ordinary GC-MS instrument is typically around m/z 1000, while the AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha can detect m/z 6000 and higher. This makes it possible to use direct probe MS methods such as field desorption (FD) to measure samples like oligomers.
Mass separation of m/z 28
Mass separation of m/z 28
High mass resolving power is invaluable for qualitative analysis. Increasing the mass resolving power results in narrower mass spectral peaks, thus leading to the features below.
Increased stability of the peak centroid = improved mass accuracy
High Mass Accuracy: 1 ppm*1
High mass accuracy makes it possible to determine the elemental compositions for the observed ions. Using the "drift compensation - multiple" mass calibration function, the average mass accuracy (absolute value) for 10 ions observed from methyl stearate was 0.05 mDa or 0.45 ppm.
EI mass spectra

New Qualitative Analysis Capabilities offered by a Variety of Soft Ionizations

AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha provides multiple ionization methods

Soft ionization - a powerful tool for qualitative analysis

EI, the most widely used ionization technique in GC-MS, is superior in sensitivity and reproducibility and is supported by a variety of library searchable databases.
For any scientist using GC-MS in search of further information, what is ultimately important is molecular ion detection. EI, which uses a high ionization energy of 70 eV, generates numerous fragment ions, from which structural information is acquired. However, EI often fails to show strong molecular ion signals. Consequently, qualitative analysis results may be incorrect if they solely rely on database searches.
Thus, it is critical in GC-MS analysis to enhance the accuracy of qualitative analysis by using various soft ionization techniques in addition to EI. Chemical ionization (CI), photoionization (PI), and field ionization (FI) are all optionally available on the AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha. With the accurate mass measurement capability for all ionization techniques, elemental composition of the analyte can be reliably determined.
Soft ionization - a powerful tool for qualitative analysis
FI and FD are extremely soft ionization techniques that provide lower internal energy to the analytes than EI and even CI, thus producing clear molecular ions. As a result, FI and FD are ideal for molecular weight determination.
FI (Field Ionization)
  • The sample is introduced to the ion source through GC or a standard sample inlet system.
  • Unlike CI, FI uses no reagent gas; no need to choose a reagent gas appropriate for the analyte.
FD (Field Desorption)
  • The sample is applied onto the emitter and directly introduced into the system.
  • Suitable for analysis of thermally labile compounds.
  • Ideal for samples soluble in nonpolar solvents.
  • Analyzes powder samples dispersible in solvents.
  • Analyzes low- to mid-polar metal complexes.
  • Analyzes high molecular weight samples not supported in GC-MS, such as polymers.
In FI and FD, ionization occurs by the removal of electrons from neutrals via the action of a high electric field.
In FI and FD, ionization occurs by the removal of electrons from neutrals via the action of a high electric field.
FI and FD ~ EI/FI/FD Combination Ion Source (optional)
A single ion source that supports both EI (hard ionization) and FI/FD (soft ionization) techniques. Switching between EI and FI/FD is simple and quick.
Features
  • No need to replace the ion source
  • No need to break the vacuum
  • No need for reagent gases
The following analyses are possible by using this combination ion source with GC:
  • GC/EI for qualitative analysis through library search
  • GC/FI for molecular weight determination
  • Accurate mass measurement
PI (Photoionization) ~ EI/PI Combination Ion Source (optional)
PI is an ionization method that uses photons from a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lamp for ionization. The AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha has an optionally available combination ion source that offers both EI (hard ionization) and PI (soft ionization). This source makes it possible to switch between EI and PI by simply turning on/off the EI filament as well as the PI lamp.
Features
  • No need to replace the ion source
  • No need to break the vacuum
  • No need for reagent gases
PI (Photoionization) ~ EI/PI Combination Ion Source (optional)
Schematics of EI/PI Combination Ion Source
Average mass spectra of diesel fuel
PI is particularly useful for the analysis of aromatic compounds in complex mixtures. These compounds produce high intensity peaks with PI because they strongly absorb UV light.

AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha with Direct MS

Direct MS mode is useful for the analysis of high-boiling-point and high-mass compounds that are not amenable for GC.

TOFMS with inherent wide mass range is well-matched with direct MS mode.

Compounds that are measured by GC normally have molecular weights below 500 Da so it is not common to target compounds with molecular weights exceeding 1000 Da by using GC-MS. However, in direct MS mode (no GC is used), high-boiling-point, high-molecular-weight, and nonvolatile compounds can be targeted for measurement, as the sample is directly introduced into the ion source. The mass range of the AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha is m/z 6,000 or higher. Since compounds can be detected over a wider mass range than conventional GC-MS, the system is well suited for measurements in direct MS mode.
DEP (Direct Exposure Probe)
DEP (Direct Exposure Probe)
  • Sample dissolved or dispersed in solvent is applied to the filament at the tip.
  • Suitable for high boiling point and/or thermally labile compounds
  • Compatible with EI and CI
DIP (Direct Insertion Probe)
DIP (Direct Insertion Probe)
  • Solid sample can be introduced in the glass sample tube.
  • Suitable for high boiling point and/or insoluble compounds
  • Compatible with EI and CI
FDP (Field Desorption Probe)
FDP (Field Desorption Probe)
  • Sample dissolved or dispersed in solvent is applied to the carbon emitter at the tip.
  • Suitable for high boiling point, high molecular weight, and/or thermally labile compounds
  • Suitable for low- to mid-polar metal complexes
  • Used for FD soft ionization
Applying the sample to the emitter
In the FD method, the sample is dissolved or dispersed with a solvent and then applied onto the emitter to be introduced into the ion source. The sample does not need to be completely dissolved in the solvent. In this case, it is possible to analyze only the additives in the solvent. Since it is a direct sample injection method without using a column, high boiling point (high mass) components can be measured. Since it is soft ionization, molecular ions can be detected. A clear difference peak was detected at m/z 943.4797 from the flame-retardant PP. It was estimated to be a brominated flame retardant by isotope pattern analysis and composition estimation.

Key Features

High Sensitivity
  • High Mass Resolving Power: 30,000
  • High Mass Accuracy: 1 ppm (based on our standard testing)
  • Instrument Detection Limit: IDL=18.7 fg
  • Wide Dynamic Range: 4 orders
  • High Speed Data Acquisition: 50 Hz
  • Wide Mass Range: ~m/z 6,000

Key Technologies

New high-performance hardware

The JMS-T2000GC AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha 2.0 is the 7th generation JEOL GC-TOFMS and has an improved ion optics system to achieve ultra-high resolution.
The AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha is an orthogonal-acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer (oaTOFMS) with dual stage reflectron. It employs an ideal ion optical system realizing both high ion transmission (=sensitivity) and ultra-high resolution.

Mass resolution and mass accuracy – Crucial for qualitative analysis

calculating the resolving power of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer
The Resolving power of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer is calculated according to the formula above. With this equation in mind, the new JMS-T2000GC AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha hardware was designed to achieve ultra-high resolution using the following principles:
  • Make t longer: increase the flight distance 4 m
  • Make Δ t smaller: new ion optical system using dual stage reflectron
  • Make Δ t smaller: ion transfer system that can accommodate ions with a wide range of kinetic energy
With the newly developed hardware, the AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha features 6 times higher resolution than the first generation AccuTOF™ GC and has a mass accuracy of ≤ 1 ppm.
Acquiring unrivaled high-quality data, the AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha is the ultimate solution for GC-MS qualitative analysis.

A new generation of analysis software for simple, speedy operation

A new workflow has been devised to identify unknown compounds by GC-MS. In this workflow, the data analysis is performed by integrating the data obtained by hard ionization (EI) and the data obtained by soft ionization (FI, PI, CI) in order to identify the analytes present in a sample.
Since its introduction in 2018, the msFineAnalysis software for the AccuTOF™ GC series has been well received as an innovative software solution for the automatic qualitative analysis of unknown compounds.
This software makes full use of the high-quality data obtained by the AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha, thus providing a new approach to qualitative analysis for identification of unknown compounds.

Evolution into Version 3

Version 3 of msFineAnalysis streamlines the software operation and adds a new function in which 2 similar samples can be directly compared for differential analysis. This new, enhanced version of msFineAnalysis allows the operator to easily accomplish qualitative analysis of unknown compounds as well as for compounds that are unregistered in the EI mass spectral libraries.
Features of msFineAnalysis
  • Combines EI/SI data for automatic qualitative analysis
  • Chromatographic peak deconvolution
  • Group analysis for extracting compounds with common substructures
  • Differential analysis for directly comparing 2 samples
  • Differential analysis for directly comparing 2 samplesDifferential analysis for directly comparing 2 samples
msFineAnalysis provides quick and efficient data analysis so that the user can spend less time analyzing data and more time on research and creativity!

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