GCMS-TQ RX Series Triple Quadrupole GC-MS - Features
Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer
Flexibility with Purpose
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Multi-Mode Injection Unit Enhances Operational Efficiency
Supports Multiple Injection Modes and Enables More Efficient Method Development
The Multi-Mode Injection Unit (MMI) supports a wide range of injection modes in a single unit, including split/splitless (SPL), programmable temperature vaporization (PTV), large-volume injection (LVI), direct injection, and thermal desorption/extraction (TD/TE). It’s dedicated software simplifies method development, allowing users to quickly adapt methods across different injections modes while maintaining a consistent workflow.
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High Performance with Minimal Downtime
Shimadzu's proprietary thermal insulation technology ensures high temperature stability while delivering rapid heating and cooling, without compromising data compatibility with conventional split/splitless inlet. The design also reduces instrument downtime during routine inlet maintenance, such as liner replacement, helping laboratories maximize productivity and uptime.
Chromatogram Comparison of FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters)
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Comparison of Instrument Downtime by Maintenance
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Thermal Desorption (TD) Capability
The MMI can heat samples at rates of up to 1200 °C/min, enabling rapid thermal desorption.
Chromatograms Obtained in TD Mode at Different Temperature Ramp Rates (Methyl Hexanoate)
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Ion Source for Diverse Analytical Needs
Boosted Efficiency Ion Source
By optimizing electron beam focus during electron ionization (EI), the ion source maximizes ionization efficiency to achieve highly sensitive detection at the atto-gram level.
* This ion source is compatible with the TQ8050 RX.
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Smart EI/CI Ion Source
The Smart EI/CI ion source acquires CI data without switching the ion source, while maintaining the sensitivity of the standard EI mode. Combining EI mass spectra with molecular weight information obtained from CI provides more confident and accurate qualitative analysis.
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Solvent-Mediated Chemical Ionization (SMCI) Unit
The SMCI unit performs CI analysis by introducing methanol into the ion source, eliminating the need for conventional flammable reagent gases. This approach enhances operational safety by removing the requirement for high-pressure flammable gas cylinders while also reducing operating costs.
Supporting Multicomponent Analysis Applications with Simultaneous MRM Mode and Scan Mode
Shimadzu’s proprietary UFsweeper technology proficiently removes ions from the collision cell, achieving high CID effectiveness and high-speed ion transport. As a result, numerous MRM transitions can be monitored during high-speed analysis, allowing simultaneous multicomponent analysis in single run.
Example of Simultaneous Analysis of 439 Pesticide Compounds (5 pg/μL Each)
The GCMS-TQ RX Series delivers mass spectra and SIM performance comparable to that of a single quadrupole GC-MS system. From highly sensitive quantitative analysis using MRM and SIM to comprehensive qualitative analysis in scan mode, a single instrument supports the complete analytical workflow.
Scan Analysis Results for Fenitrothion
Corresponding Mass Spectrum from the NIST Library
Proven Performance
New High-Sensitivity Technology
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Off-Axis Ion Optics
The addition of Off-Axis ion optics eliminates neutral noise, such as metastable helium ions, without compromising sensitivity.
New Low-Noise, Highly Robust Detector
The GCMS-TQ8050 RX is equipped with a newly developed, patented detector that combines latest noise-reduction technologies with high amplification performance. When combined with Off-Axis ion optics, a dual Off-Axis configuration is created that significantly reduces noise originating from neutral species. In addition, this new detector is highly robust, ensuring stable and reliable long-term performance.
A New Architecture
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A newly designed architecture minimizes baseline noise to exceptionally low levels, enabling highly reliable detection of peaks at lower concentrations.
Robust Mass Spectrometer
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Highly Sensitive and Stable Ion Source
Increasing the distance between the filament and the ion source reduces the influence of the filament’s electric potential. In addition, a shield helps to maintain uniform ion source temperature by blocking radiant heat generated from the filament, preventing the formation of localized hot spots which results in higher analytical sensitivity. (Patent: US7939810)
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Quadrupole Mass Filter Equipped with Pre-Rods
A high-accuracy mass filter equipped with pre-rods, combined with patented electric field control technology, delivers excellent mass separation performance. The pre-rods minimize contamination of the quadrupole, eliminating the need for quadrupole maintenance.
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Long-Life Filament Reduces Replacement Frequency to One-Fifth
The newly developed long-life filament delivers a service life five times longer than conventional filaments. By significantly reducing reanalysis and downtime caused by unexpected filament breakage, it supports stable and reliable performance.
Built for Evolving Labs
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LabSolutions GCMS
LabSolutions GCMS software integrates with the system to streamline acquisition and data analysis workflows. It supports simultaneous GC and MS data acquisition and analysis while assisting users with complex tasks, helping achieve reliable and efficient analytical results.
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Flexible Method Development with Smart MRM+
Smart MRM+ offers flexible data acquisition windows that help prevent missed detections, even when retention times shift or peak tailing occurs. Users can quickly adjust event times for individual compounds and easily add or remove compounds as needed, simplifying method optimization and maintenance.
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Smart MRM+ enables the creation of simultaneous Scan/MRM methods. During quantitative MRM analysis, scan data can be used to assess matrix effects. The GCMS-TQ RX Series also delivers performance comparable to a single quad GC-MS, providing high-quality scan data even during simultaneous Scan/MRM analysis.
Simultaneous Scan/MRM Analysis of Pesticides in Ginger (10 ppb)
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis on a Single Platform
LabSolutions Insight enables targeted analysis using high-sensitivity MRM data and non-target analysis using scan data on a single platform when analyzing simultaneous Scan/MRM data.
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A. Targeted Analysis Using MRM Data
Simplify routine verification of key system components and sensitivity-critical compounds.
B. Non-Target Analysis of Scan Data with Insight Explore GCMS
Reveal hidden peaks through peak deconvolution
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Time Management for the Measurement Workflow
Real-time monitoring provides visibility into instrument status and analysis progress, helping optimize laboratory operations. Estimated completion times for ongoing analyses, as well as remaining time during instrument start-up and shutdown, support better workflow planning, improve scheduling, and enhance overall laboratory productivity and operational efficiency.
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Automatic Peak Integration by Artificial Intelligence
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Peakintelligence for GCMS, uses advanced AI-based integration algorithms, significantly reduce peak integration time providing results comparable to those obtained by an experienced operator.
Sustainable Laboratory Operation
Overcoming Helium Supply Challenges
Minimizing Helium Gas Consumption
Reduce operating costs with the standard carrier gas saver function, which minimizes carrier gas consumption during analysis. The optional gas selector further conserves helium by automatically switching the carrier gas to nitrogen during idling, significantly reducing helium consumption.
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Reliable Operation with Alternative Carrier Gases
Hydrogen or nitrogen can be used as alternative carrier gases, offering greater availability and cost efficiency. The GCMS-TQ RX Series combines a high-performance flow controller with an optimized system design to deliver stable performance without requiring changes to the system configuration.
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Hydrogen Carrier Gas
Hydrogen offers a cost-effective alternative carrier gas without compromising sensitivity or separation performance. For added safety, the optional hydrogen sensor automatically places the system into safe standby mode in the unlikely event of a leak.
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Nitrogen Carrier Gas
Even with nitrogen carrier gas, which has a relatively narrow optimal linear velocity range, the GCMS-TQ RX Series achieves separation performance equivalent to helium by utilizing constant linear velocity mode.
An Environmentally Friendly Mass Spectrometer
Energy Saving
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Designed with sustainability in mind, the GCMS-TQ RX Series features an Ecology Mode to reduce power consumption and is certified under Shimadzu's Eco Products Plus environmental recognition program. Lower energy use reduces operating costs while helping decrease CO₂ emissions and support a decarbonized future.
Reducing Environmentally Hazardous Waste
The optional oil-free rough vacuum pump eliminates the need for routine oil replacement, reducing maintenance requirements and oil consumption. This contributes to a lower environmental impact while supporting more sustainable laboratory operation.
Enhance Comfort in Analysis
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One-Touch GC Inlet Maintenance
The standard system is equipped with the ClickTek™ nut, allowing the GC inlet to be opened simply by turning the lever by hand—no tools required. This significantly reduces the workload associated with insert replacement and improves overall maintenance efficiency.
Easy Start-Up and Shutdown Via a Touch Panel
The vacuum system ON/OFF and Easy sTop* can be directly operated from the control panel on the GC, eliminating the need for a computer and enabling smoother maintenance of the GC inlet, column, and ion source.
* Easy sTop is a function that enables septum and glass insert replacement at the GC inlet without stopping the vacuum system.
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Twin Line MS System for Efficient Multi-Application Operation
Analytical flexibility can be increased by connecting two different columns to the MS simultaneously. Since this requires no restrictor tubing, application-specific analyses can be done without breaking vacuum, while allowing existing single-column methods and retention times to be used without modification.
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Advanced Flow Technology for Improved Analytical Productivity
Shorter Analysis Time - Backflush System -
The backflush system reverses the carrier gas flow after the target compounds have eluted, rapidly removing residual components from the column through the injection inlet. By eliminating unnecessary column bake-out time, analysis time is shortened, and analytical productivity is improved.
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Multiple Chromatograms in a Single Run
- Detector Splitting / Switching System -Maximize analytical efficiency with detector splitting, which directs the column effluent simultaneously to multiple detectors. By acquiring multiple chromatograms from a single injection, it reduces analysis time and costs while increasing laboratory productivity.
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Multiple Chromatograms in a Single Run
- Heart-Cut System -Heart-cutting improves the separation of complex samples by combining two columns with different selectivity. Challenging components are selectively transferred from the first column to the second for enhanced resolution, while downstream retention times remain unchanged, ensuring stable and reproducible results.
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Intuitive Software Interface
Even in systems combining multiple columns and detectors, the software’s interface remains visually intuitive, enabling easy operation in each step from method creation to analysis.