CHCA, HPA, and ATT crystals are common supports for instances of this technique whose analytes are highly susceptible to damage. Analytes are heated in a vacuum in a version of this technique that relies on blackbody infrared radiative dissociation. Performing this technique on aromatic analytes can result in the formation of an unstable tropylium (“tro-PILL-ee-um”) ion. Samples for this technique can be prepared via desorption from a matrix made of an aromatic acid such as sinapinic acid. Analytes undergo soft ionization by either electrospray ionization or MALDI (“MALL-dee”) in the first step of this technique. The kinetic energy of analytes in this technique is measured in its “time of flight” variant. For 10 points, name this technique that measures an analyte’s mass-to-charge ratio. ■END■
ANSWER: mass spectrometry [or MS; accept tandem mass spectrometry; accept time of flight mass spectrometry; prompt on ionization, soft ionization, MALDI, or electrospray ionization until read by asking “what larger technique is that a part of?”]
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= Average correct buzz position