Japan-based Shimadzu Corporation has announced the release of the LCMS-2050 high-performance liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS). This single quadrupole LC-MS achieves user friendliness, heightened basic performance, and a compact design. Shimadzu is aiming to double LC-MS unit sales by acquiring a wide range of first-time LC-MS system users.

Single quadrupole LC-MS systems are easier to use and less expensive than triple quadrupole LC-MS systems, so they have been in strong demand, and the international market is growing by at least 5 per cent annually. Shimadzu entered the single quadrupole LC-MS market in 1997 and has become the top manufacturer in this field.

To ensure user friendliness even for inexperienced users, the LCMS-2050 can be controlled via Shimadzu’s LabSolutions analysis software, which is highly regarded for its usability, thereby achieving ready access on par with an LC system. In addition, the vacuum exhaust system and ion optical system components have been completely redesigned, resulting in a compact design with a 66 per cent smaller footprint than previous models. This allows it to be combined comfortably with an LC system for installation anywhere, even when adding it to an existing LC system.