Abstract: The invention provides a system apparatus and methods for fragmenting various molecules. In particular, the invention may be employed for fragmenting biomolecules like peptides to determine sequence information. The invention provides a mass spectrometry system for photo-activated collision induced dissociation. The mass spectrometry system or device includes an ion source for producing ions, a photon source adjacent to the ion source for photo-activating ions produced by the ion source, an electrical element adjacent to the photon source for creating an electric field for accelerating ions produced by the ion source and photo-activated by the photon source; wherein ions are produced by the ion source, photo-activated by the photon source and accelerated into a surface to cause dissociation of the activated ions; and a detector downstream from the ion source for detecting the collision induced and dissociated ions. Methods for molecule and/or peptide fragmentation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for enhancing the confidence index in detecting the presence and/or amount of an analyte suspected of being in a sample. In the method, a combination of at least two predetermined derivatives of the analyte is subjected to chromatographic separation. Then, the retention times of the derivatives as a result of the chromatographic separation are determined. The retention times are related to the presence of the analyte in the sample. Detecting a response from each of the derivatives enhances confirmation that the compound detected is the analyte in question further. The number and intensities of the responses is related to the presence and/or amount of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively concentrating an analyte on an apparatus by evaporating solvent from the analyte. Concentration is performed by heating or by flowing a gas stream over the analyte to evaporate solvent from the analyte. The invention also provides a method to be used in conjunction with the apparatus.