Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry reference spectra of cholesterol in positive and negative polarity

Understanding the structure, functions, and interactions of biomolecules is crucial for advances in medicine, biological research, biotechnology, and biomimetic surface engineering. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical method to explore molecular and structural properties of biomolecules in a wide variety of contexts. Here, we provide reference spectra for cholesterol, an essential, multifunctional steroid lipid ubiquitous in mammalian cells. Spectra were acquired in positive and negative polarity on spin-coated cholesterol layers using a 30 kV Bi3++ primary ion beam.