Thermo Fisher Scientific Exploris 240 Orbitrap

Thermo Fisher Scientific Exploris 240 Orbitrap

In late 2025, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) granted the Thermo Fisher Scientific Exploris 240 Orbitrap mass spectrometer (INST 35/1923-1 FUGG). This instrument represents the long-awaited "true" replacement of aged the FT-ICR instrument. The quadrupole-Orbitrap hybrid geometry enables high resolution (R = 240 k at m/z 200), accurate mass (1-3 ppm), and tandem MS of precursor ions up to m/z 2500. It presents the next generation of Thermo's compact Orbitraps succeeding the Q-Exactive series. It is mainly designed for operation in the m/z 50-3000 range but may reach up to m/z 6000.
In addition to the common ionization methods ESI and APCI, we have acquired a LIFDI source from Linden CMS in addition. In this unique combination, LIFDI is attached to the rear of the Exploris, i.e., via the HCD cell. Thus, LIFDI can be operated without swapping ion sources at any time. Due to the access via the HCD cell, there is a restriction in that the LIFDI mode cannot be combined with tandem MS. In contrast to LIFDI with our JEOL AccuTOF, this type of LIFDI arrangement now enables the same high level of resolution and mass accuracy as ESI and APCI on this instrument.