In a recent article, we derived a probability distribution that was shown to
closely approximate that of the data produced by liquid chromatography time-of-flight
mass spectrometry (LC/TOFMS) instruments employing time-to-digital converters
(TDCs) as part of their detection system. The approach of formulating detailed and
highly accurate mathematical models of LC/MS data via probability distributions that
are parameterized by quantities of analytical interest does not appear to have been
fully explored before. However, we believe it could lead to a statistically rigorous
framework for addressing many of the data analytical problems that arise in LC/MS
studies. In this article, we present new procedures for correcting for TDC saturation
using such an approach and demonstrate that there is potential for significant
improvements in the effective dynamic range of TDC-based mass spectrometers, which could make them much
more competitive with the alternative analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The degree of improvement depends
on our ability to generate mass and chromatographic peaks that conform to known mathematical functions and
our ability to accurately describe the state of the detector dead time—tasks that may be best addressed through
engineering efforts