Mass spectrometer

A mass spectrometer is an analytical instrument used in surface technology to precisely determine the chemical composition of materials.

Atoms or molecules are released from the sample surface, ionized and separated according to their mass-to-charge ratio. This method makes it possible to detect even the smallest amounts of elements or compounds and provides important information about the composition, purity and structure of coatings, layers and substrates. In surface technology, mass spectrometry is used for quality control, the investigation of coating thicknesses or the analysis of impurities, among other things. Processes such as depth profile analysis also benefit from this technology, as it makes changes in material composition visible across the layer. The high sensitivity and accuracy make the mass spectrometer an indispensable tool for research, development and industrial applications in the field of surface analysis.