Combined techniques

The Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry author guidelines state

"A single analytical technique, or a type of instrument, is abbreviated without hyphens. Thus, TOFMS, FTICRMS."

"A hyphen is used when highlighting a particular component or feature of an instrument or technique. Thus, MALDI-TOFMS, ESI-MS/MS. When 2 or more different analytical techniques are coupled in tandem, this is represented by a solidus placed between the abbreviations for the techniques. Thus we write Py/GC/EI-MS, CZE/TOFMS."

Thus a hyphen is used to highlight an instrument component and a slash (also called a solidus, virgule, diagonal, stroke, or separatrix) is used to denote combined techniques. Sparkman suggests that, for example, GC/MS be used to describe the technique of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection and GC-MS to indicate the instrument. Thus one uses a GC-MS to obtain a GC/MS.

The revised IUPAC Standard Definitions of Terms Relating to Mass Spectrometry document must contain a general recommendation on when to use punctuation, when to use a hyphen and when to use a slash when describing combined techniques.

See also

Acronyms

External links

• National Library of MedicineGuidelines
• RCM Author Instructions

A single analytical technique, or a type of instrument, is abbreviated without hyphens. Thus, TOFMS, FTICRMS.

A hyphen is used when highlighting a particular component or feature of an instrument or technique. Thus, MALDI-TOFMS, ESI-MS/MS. When 2 or more different analytical techniques are coupled in tandem, this is represented by a solidus placed between the abbreviations for the techniques. Thus we write Py/GC/EI-MS, CZE/TOFMS.

An en rule (somewhat longer than a hyphen) is used to indicate the dual nature of a species; thus, ion??????????????????????????radical represents a species that is both an ion and a radical. A solidus is used to indicate interaction between 2 or more separate species, e.g., we refer to an ion/molecule reaction or an ion/ion collision.