Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) is perhaps the most powerful MS variant currently available. High mass resolution, long storage times, high upper mass limit and combinability with almost any type of ion production allow a wide range of applications. We combine a commercial FT-ICR device with a shielded 7 Tesla magnet through extensive modifications, which we carry out ourselves, with an ion switch that allows up to three different ion sources to be operated in parallel and without further modifications to this device. The abbreviation "F.R.I.T.Z." stands for "Fourier Transform Reactive Investigation Test Zoo".

There is an electrospray source (ESI), which is preferably used for transition metal complexes and biomolecules, as well as a metal cluster source that works according to the principle of laser vaporization (LVAP). In combination with a pulsed jet from a self-built piezo valve, the metal target is bombarded with the laser, producing the desired ions.

The third ion source will alternately be a droplet launcher source based on the LILBID principle from the Brutschy working group (Frankfurt) and a cluster aggregation source based on the Freiburg design (v.Issendorff / Haberland).

Further ion sources and projects of an innovative nature are under discussion.

A hexapole ion trap cooled by a helium cryostat with inlet options for impact and reaction gases makes it possible to store ions for any length of time, cool them and allow them to react with the reaction gas supplied. This allows reaction kinetics to be measured and cold ions to be transferred to the ICR cell.

A cold ICR cell with additional inlet options for gases is also installed in FRITZ.

By coupling to two OPO/A laser systems, the ions can also be analyzed using infrared spectroscopy.