Mass Spectral Symptoms

This section describes symptoms you might observe in mass spectra. Some of these symptoms will appear in the mass spectra of samples. Others you will observe only in a tune report. Some of these symptoms have causes that can be corrected by the operator. Others, however, require service by a Agilent Technologies service representative.

• Isotopes are missing or isotope ratios are incorrect

• High background

• Peaks at m/z 18, 28, 32, and 44 or at m/z 14 and 16

• Mass assignments are incorrect

• Peaks have precursors

• Peak widths are inconsistent

• Relative abundance of m/z 502 is less than 3

• High mass sensitivity is poor

• Some of the Chromatographic Symptoms also apply to mass spectra:

• Poor sensitivity

• Poor repeatability