KB001932: What Different Mass Analyzers are Available? - General LC/MS 

In principle Mass Analyzers are classified in to four major types.

1. Quadrupole - QP
2. Time offlight - TOF
3. Ion trap - IT
4. Fourier transform - ion cyclotron resonance FT-ICR or FT-MS

Each of these analyzers have their own strengths and drawbacks depending on the requirements of the particular analysis.