Buffer gas

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-001528",
  "term": "Buffer gas",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "An inert gas introduced into a mass spectrometer, particularly in ion traps or collision cells, to facilitate ion cooling, collisional focusing, or fragmentation. Collisions between ions and buffer gas molecules reduce the kinetic energy of the ions, leading to better trapping efficiency or controlled dissociation. Helium or argon are common buffer gases.",
  "synonyms": [
    "bath gas"
  ],
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "collision gas",
    "ion trap"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2013, 85, 1515. 'Definitions of terms relating to mass spectrometry (IUPAC Recommendations 2013)' on page 1526 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/buffer-gas/"
}