FT-ICR operates on the principle of trapping ions in a magnetic field and measuring their cyclotron frequencies. The ions are introduced into the ICR cell, where they are exposed to a magnetic field that causes them to move in circular orbits. By applying a radiofrequency pulse, the ions are excited to higher energy states. The resulting ion cyclotron resonance frequencies are detected, transformed into mass spectra using Fourier transform algorithms, and analyzed to determine the mass-to-charge ratios of the ions.
