What is the main purpose of the collision chamber in tandem mass spectrometry?

The primary function of the collision chamber in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is to generate daughter ions. In this chamber, ions from the first stage of mass spectrometry are subjected to collisions with neutral gas molecules, which provides enough energy to break these ions into smaller fragments. This process is essential for structural analysis, as the resulting daughter ions carry information about the original ion's structure and composition.

This fragmentation allows researchers to analyze and identify complex molecules more effectively, as the resulting daughter ions can be further analyzed in subsequent stages of mass spectrometry. The ability to create specific fragment ions is crucial for elucidating the molecular structure and for sensitive detection of particular compounds within complex mixtures.

In contrast, the other functions mentioned relate to different stages of mass spectrometry. The separation of molecules typically occurs prior to the collision chamber, where initial ion selection is made. The measurement of mass-to-charge ratios is a fundamental part of mass spectrometry but occurs after the collision chamber, focusing on the analysis of the produced daughter ions. Lastly, ionization of the sample is a separate step that occurs before the tandem mass spectrometry process begins, enabling the production of the initial precursor ions that will be fragmented in the collision chamber.