TOF-MS: Precision at Speed
How TOF-MS works?
Unmatched detection for complex samples
At Oxford Indices, precision begins at the detector. Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF-MS) provides the speed, sensitivity, and mass accuracy required to identify compounds with confidence — even in the most complex matrices. When coupled with two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC), it transforms separation into discovery.
Unlike scanning mass spectrometers that measure ions sequentially, TOF-MS detects all ions simultaneously based on their flight time through a field-free drift region. This allows for:
Rapid acquisition — capturing full-spectrum data at hundreds of spectra per second.
High mass accuracy — ensuring reliable compound identification and library matching.
Wide dynamic range — enabling detection of both trace and abundant components within a single run.
The result is comprehensive, information-rich data without sacrificing throughput.
Precision that matches the pace of discovery
In modern analytical workflows, data quality and speed are equally critical. TOF-MS provides both — delivering high-resolution spectra in real time. This performance is essential for GC×GC, where peaks elute within fractions of a second and accurate timing defines success.
At Oxford Indices, our systems are configured to maintain spectral integrity across thousands of peaks, ensuring that even fleeting compounds are captured and correctly identified.
Applications across industries
TOF-MS supports a broad range of analytical applications, including:
Food and Beverage Quality — detecting taints, off-notes, or formulation inconsistencies.
Environmental and Air Quality — monitoring trace pollutants and VOCs with high confidence.
Materials — characterising complex mixtures with precision and speed.
Soil and plants contaminants — identifying contaminants in soil and plants.
Our exceptional TOF-MS technology also supports our sister company Emissions Analytics, to test and standardize biofuels.
In every case, TOF-MS provides robust, high-fidelity data that accelerates interpretation and decision-making.
Speed, Certainty, and Scientific Clarity
TOF-MS is more than a detector — it’s a platform for discovery.
At Oxford Indices, it enables us to deliver results that are both fast and precise, helping our partners make informed, confident decisions backed by reliable data.