Early Days of Two-Dimensional Ion Cyclotron Resonance

This contribution is an attempt to evoke the favorable atmosphere that prevailed in Lausanne around 1986 and provided the backdrop of our invention of two-dimensional ion cyclotron resonance mass spectroscopy (2D ICR-MS). To avoid a self-centered histoire d'ancien combattant, we shall try to emphasize the context: the contributions of key players within our nascent research group at UNIL and the established group of Tino Gaumann at EPFL, the role of external speakers, and the open atmosphere that was not yet polluted by bibliometrics, obsessive concern with impact factors, and top-down management of research. We shall also explain why the idea of 2D ICR-MS has been ignored for many years and still has a limited impact: different scientific cultures in the ICR and NMR communities, different concerns with fundamental vs. applied research, different status of theory and numerical simulations, different levels of commitment of instrument manufacturers, not to mention many theoretical problems that appear to be at least as challenging in ICR as in NMR.

Automated summary

The article attempts to evoke the positive atmosphere in Lausanne around 1986 that served as the backdrop for the invention of two-dimensional ion cyclotron resonance mass spectroscopy (2D ICR-MS) and explains why the idea was ignored for many years. Differences in scientific cultures, research focus, and status between the ICR and NMR communities have had a significant impact.