Mass Spectrometry

Mass Spectrometry

Waters mass spectrometry (MS) systems offer a comprehensive suite of tools designed to meet the evolving analytical needs of scientists across the pharmaceutical, environmental, food, clinical, and materials science industries. These systems combine robust instrumentation, innovative ionization techniques, and advanced software to deliver reliable, high-sensitivity data for both known and unknown compound analysis—even in complex matrices.

At the core of Waters' mass spectrometry portfolio is the ability to identify, quantify, and characterize chemical and biological components with precision. Whether you're confirming trace-level contaminants, determining molecular structures, or performing non-targeted screening, Waters MS solutions provide the sensitivity and selectivity required to produce meaningful, actionable results.

Technologies like QuanTof, MSE, StepWave, and Triwave are built into Waters' platforms to optimize performance and data quality. QuanTof technology delivers high-resolution, exact-mass measurements with rapid acquisition speeds, enabling confident identification in complex samples. MSE allows for the simultaneous collection of precursor and fragment ion data without the need for method switching—ideal for structural elucidation and comprehensive profiling. StepWave and Triwave technologies enhance ion transmission and separation, increasing sensitivity and enabling the detailed characterization of intricate mixtures, such as those found in metabolomics, proteomics, or impurity profiling.

Waters also offers universal ion source architecture, allowing laboratories to adapt to a wide range of ionization techniques, including electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and the latest direct ionization methods. This flexibility makes it easier for users to transition between applications or tailor their systems to specific sample types and workflows.

For high-throughput needs and field-adjacent analysis, Waters supports direct sample analysis with innovative tools that bypass traditional separation steps. These techniques reduce sample prep time while still delivering high-quality data, expanding analytical capabilities for labs managing rapid screening or urgent testing requirements.

Mass spectrometry solutions from Waters are tightly integrated with informatics platforms such as waters_connect™, Empower™, and MassLynx™, offering intuitive data acquisition, real-time visualization, and automated reporting. These platforms simplify complex MS workflows and improve data traceability, making them suitable for both research-focused and compliance-driven environments.

In addition to system performance and software integration, Waters supports a full range of customer needs through application-specific solutions and flexible payment plans via Waters Capital. These offerings help labs acquire state-of-the-art instrumentation while balancing capital expenditure.

Whether you're focused on quantitative bioanalysis, structural characterization of biologics, environmental screening, or food safety testing, Waters delivers mass spectrometry solutions that scale with your scientific challenges. Built on decades of expertise and innovation, Waters MS systems empower laboratories to generate high-confidence results faster—helping you make smarter decisions with data you can trust.

FAQs

What is mass spectrometry?
Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique used to identify and quantify chemical compounds based on the mass-to-charge ratio of their ions. In a typical workflow, molecules are ionized, separated in a vacuum based on their mass and charge, and detected to generate a mass spectrum. This spectrum provides detailed information about the molecular weight and structure of the analytes, allowing for identification, quantification, and structural characterization. MS is commonly used in combination with separation techniques like liquid chromatography (LC) for greater selectivity in complex samples. Because of its high sensitivity and specificity, mass spectrometry is widely applied in fields such as drug development, food safety, environmental monitoring, and clinical diagnostics.

What types of applications can Waters mass spectrometry systems support?
Waters mass spectrometry systems are designed for broad, high-performance applications across multiple industries. In pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical settings, they support workflows such as impurity profiling, metabolite identification, peptide mapping, and oligonucleotide analysis. In the environmental and food safety sectors, Waters MS systems are used for the detection of contaminants, pesticides, and trace-level pollutants in complex matrices. Clinical research laboratories rely on MS for biomarker discovery, therapeutic monitoring, and quantitative bioanalysis. Materials science applications include polymer analysis and compositional studies.

What are the key technologies used in Waters MS systems, and what do they offer?
Waters mass spectrometry platforms incorporate several proprietary technologies that enhance data quality, sensitivity, and workflow efficiency. QuanTof™ technology enables high-resolution, exact-mass measurements with rapid acquisition speeds—ideal for complex sample analysis. MSE™ allows the simultaneous collection of precursor and fragment ion data, eliminating the need for method switching and supporting comprehensive compound identification. StepWave™ enhances ion transfer and sensitivity by reducing ion loss in the source region. Triwave™ and T-Wave™ technologies enable advanced ion mobility and separation, helping distinguish compounds with similar mass or structure. Additional features like SONAR™ and RADAR™ support data-independent acquisition and background monitoring.