Background mass spectrum

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-001078",
  "term": "Background mass spectrum",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A mass spectrum obtained from the instrument's environment or from residual components within the mass spectrometer, rather than from the sample being analyzed. This spectrum typically shows peaks corresponding to common atmospheric gases, pump oils, or instrument contaminants. It is subtracted from the sample spectrum to isolate the analyte's characteristic peaks.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "mass spectrometer",
    "mass spectrum",
    "spectrograph"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Orange Book, 2nd ed., p. 34 (https://media.iupac.org/publications/analytical_compendium/)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/background-mass-spectrum/"
}