Learn more about Waters history of mass spectrometry
Yes. Waters mass spectrometry products are designed for compatibility with a range of chromatography systems, informatics platforms, and third-party lab environments. Whether you're using Empower, MassLynx, or other tools, our solutions are built to fit seamlessly into established workflows.
Mass spectrometry solutions for the challenges you face
Explore the MS Technologies Behind Our Mass Spectrometry Solutions
Explore the MS Technologies Behind Our Mass Spectrometry Solutions
Ionization sources, acquisition modes, and data handling all influence the quality of your mass spectrometry results. Our technologies support key aspects of system performance, usability, and integration, helping you select the right tools for your applications and analytical goals.
A growing legacy of mass spectrometry
1996
1996
Q‑TOF MS to revolutionize high‑resolution analysis:
Introduced world’s first commercial quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) MS for high-resolution MS/MS with exceptional mass accuracy and speed
1997
1997
High‑resolution TOF, benchtop accessible:
Introduced LCT Premier, a benchtop orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (oa‑ToF) MS for high mass accuracy and resolution for LC‑MS workflows
2006
2006
Ion mobility for 3D molecular separation:
Introduced SYNAPT HDMS system, one of the first commercial MS to incorporate ion mobility separation using patented T-Wave technology
2016
2016
SONAR for cleaner, faster DIA workflows:
Introduced SONAR, a scanning quadrupole DIA acquisition mode on Xevo Q-TOF systems, for high-definition MS/MS at UPLC speeds with low spectral complexity
2024
2024
Unmatched resolution & speed:
Introduced Xevo MRT MS, a high-resolution mass spectrometer combining 100,000 FWHM resolution with fast acquisition speeds for confident compound ID in complex biological samples
Classify known and unknown compounds
Identify and quantify compounds with confidence using advanced mass spectrometry systems from Waters.
Designed for high resolution, sensitivity, and structural insight, these systems support a wide range of applications from small molecules to complex biologics, providing the analytical power needed for critical decision-making across industries including pharma, food safety, forensics, and more.
Extract maximum information with the widest range
Adapt your application with ion sources engineered to meet diverse analytical challenges. Waters offers flexible ionization options, including ESI, APCI, and APPI, that seamlessly integrate with our MS platforms.
These sources provide the versatility needed for complex matrices, enabling robust and reproducible performance across workflows ranging from routine screening to advanced research.
Direct-from-sample analysis for the information you need, faster
Simplify and accelerate your workflow with direct analysis technologies that reduce sample preparation time while delivering high-accuracy results. Waters solutions are ideal for complex or low-volume samples, enabling high-throughput screening and real-time decision-making.
These tools help reduce variability, improve efficiency, and streamline method development in your lab by minimizing manual handling.
Complex analysis, simpler than ever before
Achieve high-quality mass spectral data with the Waters mass spectrometry software portfolio, which includes intuitive software for mass spectrometry (MS), liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis.
Make your complex analysis easier than ever with the Waters mass spectrometry software portfolio: waters_connect Software Solutions, MassLynx MS Software, High Definition Imaging Software, Progenesis QI Software, and Mass Analytica Software.
Make science more accessible with financing solutions
Access cutting-edge mass spectrometry solutions without compromising your budget. Waters offers flexible financing and leasing options through tailored programs that support long-term planning and strategic lab investment.
Our payment solutions help you stay equipped with the latest technology, so your lab can continue to deliver quality and innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right system depends on your sample type, analytical goals, and required level of sensitivity. Key considerations include:
● Defining your goals – Decide if your focus is quantitation, identification, or structural analysis.
● Matching to your application – Use triple quadrupole for targeted workflows; Q-ToF or ion mobility for high-resolution or untargeted studies.
● Assessing sample complexity – Complex matrices may benefit from technologies like ion mobility or DIA.
● Checking compatibility – Ensure the system works with your current chromatography and data tools.
● Asking an expert – Use Waters selection tools or speak with a specialist to match the right mass spectrometry solution to your needs.
● QuanTof provides high-resolution, exact-mass measurements at fast acquisition speeds, ideal for profiling complex mixtures and detecting low-abundance analytes.
● MSE: Simultaneously captures both precursor and fragment ion data in a single injection, eliminating the need for targeted MS/MS switching and enabling comprehensive compound identification.
● StepWave: Enhances ion transfer efficiency by reducing losses at the source, improving overall system sensitivity for trace-level quantification.
● Triwave and T-Wave: Add ion mobility separation to distinguish compounds with similar mass-to-charge ratios based on shape, size, and charge.
● SONAR and RADAR: Offer data-independent acquisition and background ion monitoring to improve specificity and detect unexpected components in real time.
Together, these technologies help deliver reliable, high-performance mass spectrometry solutions for research, discovery, and routine analysis
Don’t take our word for it.
Featured Products
Explore integrated systems, software, and support solutions that simplify your chromatography workflows from sample preparation to final results.
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Streamline analytical lab operations with our suite of software solutions, including instrument control, scientific data and compliance management, and more.
Ensure sample integrity with certified vials, plates, and containers built for reliability and compatibility in chromatography workflows.
Take advantage of the most advanced analytical technology available for your laboratory with innovative payment solutions from Waters Capital.
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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.
