Waters Corporation has published a new 65-page primer on mass spectrometry for the life sciences industry professionals to hone their understanding in mass spectrometry.

The primer authored by Michael Balogh, provides an introduction to ionization, ion separation and detection techniques for quadrupole, hybrid, and ion trap mass spectrometers. It includes a special section on UltraPerformance LC (UPLC) as an inlet to the mass spectrometer, ion mobility and recent innovations such as desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), direct analysis in real time (DART), atmospheric GC and atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP) technology.

Mass spectrometry is a key tool for the scientific laboratory. It involves finding biomarkers of disease or determining the diets of lost civilizations, investigations as varied as solving crimes like athletes taking performance enhancing drugs.

Waters' business portfolio includes separations science, laboratory information management, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis. In 2008, the company registered revenues to the tune of $1.58 billion and employs 5,000 employees.