Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) is a powerful analytical technique that combines the separating power of liquid chromatography with the highly sensitive and selective mass analysis capability of triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.
A sample solution containing analtyes of interest are pumped through a stationary phase (LC column) by a mobile phase flowing through at high pressure. Chemical interaction between the components of the sample, the stationary phase and the mobile phase affects different migration rates through the LC column affecting a separation. The wide variety of stationary phase and mobile phase combinations allow for customizing a separation to suit many complex solutions.
After elution from the LC column, the effluent is directed to the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer for an LC/MS/MS system has an ionization source where the LC column effluent is nebulized, desolvated and ionized creating charged particles.