ABSTRACT
The detection capability for some elements using traditional quadrupole mass analyzer technology is severely compromised because of the formation of polyatomic spectral interferences generated by a combination of argon, solvent, and matrix-derived ions. This chapter takes a detailed look at this very powerful technique and the exciting potential it has to offer and how it might be beneficial for the analysis of cannabis and hemp. However, a novel approach using collision/reaction cell and interface technology has been developed that significantly reduces the formation of many of these harmful species before they enter the mass analyzer. The basic principle relies on using a nonreactive gas in a hexapole collision cell to stimulate ion-molecule collisions. That is why most collision cells also have basic reaction mechanism capabilities, which allows low-reactivity gases such as hydrogen and, in some cases, small amounts of highly reactive gases such as ammonia or oxygen mixed with helium to be used.
