The basic principle of TOF-MS is based on the time it takes for ions to travel a fixed distance. Ions with smaller mass-to-charge ratios travel faster and reach the detector quicker than those with larger ratios. The flight time is recorded, and from this data, the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions can be calculated. The essential components of a TOF-MS system include an ion source, an ion accelerator, a drift tube, and a detector.
