Peptide sequencing by matrix‐assisted laser‐desorption mass spectrometry

Abstract

A novel method of peptide sequencing by mass spectrometry is described. Metastable decay of laser-desorbedions, taking place in the first field-free drift region of a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer, has been monitored to get structural information from larger peptides. Fragment ions from metastable decay are mass analysed by adjusting the potentiaals of the ion reflectron according to the kinetic energies of the ions. The features of the technique and its significance for future applications are outlined.