A quadrupole mass spectrometer for resolution of low mass isotopes.

The qualitative and quantitative identification of low mass isotopes in the mass range 1-6 u poses certain difficulties when attempting to achieve the required resolution with an instrument suitable for deployment within a process environment. Certain adjacent species present in the process sample (HT and D(2)) require a resolution greater than 930 to achieve an accurate measurement. We demonstrate here through simulation techniques that this level of performance required is unachievable using commercially available instruments.