Abstract: An ion spectrometer apparatus is disclosed having an ion source, an ion mobility spectrometer device such as a FAIMS cell, and a capillary for transporting ions from the ion source to the entrance of the FAIMS cell. The capillary is heated to promote evaporation of solvent from incompletely desolvated droplets entering the capillary inlet, thereby preventing or minimizing operational problems associated with the presence of wet material in the FAIMS cell. The FAIMS cell may be used to selectively transmit ions to a mass analyzer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a measuring cell for an Ion Cyclotron Resonance (ICR) spectrometer. The present invention provides a measurement cell for an FTMS spectrometer, comprising an excitation electrode arrangement positioned about a longitudinal axis which extends in a direction generally parallel to the field direction of an applied homogeneous magnetic field; and a trapping electrode arrangement, also positioned about the said longitudinal axis, for trapping ions longitudinally in the cell within a trapping region defined by the trapping electrode arrangement; wherein at least a part of the excitation electrode arrangement extends axially outwardly of the trapping region defined by the trapping electrode arrangement.

Abstract: A monochromator for use in a spectrograph admits light from an aperture to a primary reflector (preferably an off-axis parabolic mirror) which collimates the input light with low aberration and directs it to a diffraction grating. The component wavelengths of the input light are then directed to first and second secondary reflectors (preferably spherical or toroidal mirrors), which are chosen to cooperatively focus the component wavelengths in ordered bands across an array detector while each at least substantially cancels the effects of any aberrations introduced by the other. By choosing optical elements which supply the grating with input light with low aberration, and then choosing optical elements which receive the component wavelengths from the grating and which offset any aberrations introduced by the other receiving optical elements, wavelength resolution at the detector can be enhanced.

Abstract: This invention relates to tandem mass spectrometry and, in particular, to tandem mass spectrometry using a linear ion trap and a time of flight detector to collect mass spectra to form a MS/MS experiment. The accepted standard is to store and mass analyze precursor ions in the ion trap before ejecting the ions axially to a collision cell for fragmentation before mass analysis of the fragments in the time of flight detector. This invention makes use of orthogonal ejection of ions with a narrow range of m/z values to produce a ribbon beam of ions that are injected into the collision cell. The shape of this beam and the high energy of the ions are accommodated by using a planar design of collision cell. Ions are retained in the ion trap during ejection so that successive narrow ranges may be stepped through consecutively to cover all precursor ions of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) in which a collision cell is employed to selectively remove unwanted artifact ions from an ion beam by causing them to interact with a reagent gas. The present invention provides a first evacuated chamber (6) at high vacuum located between an expansion chamber (3) and a second evacuated chamber (20) containing the collision cell (24). The first evacuated chamber (6) includes a first ion optical device (17). The collision cell (24) contains a second ion optical device (25). The provision of the first evacuated chamber (6) reduces the gas load on the collision cell (24), by minimising the residual pressure within the collision cell (24) that is attributable to the gas load from the plasma source (1). This serves to minimise the formation, or re-formation, of unwanted artifact ions in the collision cell (24).

Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma alignment apparatus having a coil 10 for generating an inductively coupled plasma in a gas, the coil having a first axis 100; a torch 20 passing at least partially through the coil, the torch having a second axis 200; and an adjustment mechanism 80, 110 for adjusting the position of the torch with respect to the coil so as to alter the relative configuration of the first and second axes. The adjustment mechanism may adjust an angle and/or a distance between the second axis and the first axis. The second axis may be held substantially parallel to the first axis, while the adjustment mechanism adjusts a distance between the second axis and the first axis. The coil is preferably maintained substantially fixed in position with respect to a sampling aperture for sampling photons or ions from the plasma.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer 10 comprises an ion source 12 which generates nebulized ions which enter an ion cooler 20 via an ion source block 16. Ions within a window of m/z of interest are extracted via a quadrupole mass filter 24 and passed to a linear trap 30. Ions are trapped in a potential well in the linear trap 30 and are bunched at the bottom of the potential well adjacent an exit segment 50. Ions are gated out of the linear trap 30 into an electrostatic ion trap 130 and are detected by a secondary electron multiplier 10. By bunching the ions in the linear trap 30 prior to ejection, and by focussing the ions in time of flight (TOF) upon the entrance of the electrostatic trap 130, the ions arrive at the electrostatic trap 130 as a convolution of short, energetic packets of similar m/z. Such packets are particularly suited to an electrostatic trap because the FWHM of each packet's TOF distribution is less than the period of oscillation of those ions in the electrostatic trap.

Abstract: An electrospray interface for forming ions from a liquid sample in a mass analyzing system includes a capillary tube having a free end for introducing a spray of droplets into an ionization chamber, a first gas passageway positioned near the capillary tube for directing a first gas stream into the ionization chamber, and a second gas passageway positioned more remotely from the capillary tube for directing a second, low-velocity gas stream into the ionization chamber. The second gas stream is heated to increase the droplet desolvation rate. A heated sampling capillary having an end extending into the ionization chamber guides the analyte ions toward a mass analyzer and evaporates the solvent from any incompletely desolvated droplets entering the sampling capillary.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for trapping or guiding ions. Ions are introduced into an ion trap or ion guide. The ion trap or ion guide includes a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes. The first set of electrodes defines a first portion of an ion channel to trap or guide the introduced ions. Periodic voltages are applied to electrodes in the first set of electrodes to generate a first oscillating electric potential that radially confines the ions in the ion channel, and periodic voltages are applied to electrodes in the second set of electrodes to generate a second oscillating electric potential that axially confines the ions in the ion channel.

Abstract: Rapid and efficient fragmentation of ions in an ion trap for MS/MS analysis is achieved by a pulsed fragmentation technique. Ions of interest are placed at an elevated value of Q and subjected to a relatively high amplitude, short-duration resonance excitation pulse to cause the ions to undergo collision-induced fragmentation. The Q value of the ions of interest is then rapidly reduced, thereby decreasing the low-mass cutoff and allowing retention and subsequent analysis of low-mass ion fragments.

Abstract: An RF-only multipole includes a spiral resistive path formed around each multipole rod body. RF voltages are applied to the rod body and resistive path, and DC voltages are applied to the resistive path, to create a radially confining RF field and an axial DC field that assists in propelling ions through the multipole interior along the longitudinal axis thereof. In one implementation, the resistive path takes the form of a wire of resistive material, such as nichrome, which is laid down in the groove defined between threads formed on the rod body. The RF-only multipole of the invention avoids the need to use auxiliary rods or similar supplemental structures to generate the axial DC field.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer 10 comprises an ion source 12 which generates nebulized ions which enter an ion cooler 20 via an ion source block 16. Ions within a window of m/z of interest are extracted via a quadrupole mass filter 24 and passed to a linear trap 30. Ions are trapped in a potential well in the linear trap 30 and are bunched at the bottom of the potential well adjacent an exit segment 50. Ions are gated out of the linear trap 30 into an electrostatic ion trap 130 and are detected by a secondary electron multiplier 10. By bunching the ions in the linear trap 30 prior to ejection, and by focussing the ions in time of flight (TOF) upon the entrance of the electrostatic trap 130, the ions arrive at the electrostatic trap 130 as a convolution of short, energetic packets of similar m/z. Such packets are particularly suited to an electrostatic trap because the FWHM of each packet's TOF distribution is less than the period of oscillation of those ions in the electrostatic trap.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer 10 comprises an ion source 12 which generates nebulized ions which enter an ion cooler 20 via an ion source block 16. Ions within a window of m/z of interest are extracted via a quadrupole mass filter 24 and passed to a linear trap 30. Ions are trapped in a potential well in the linear trap 30 and are bunched at the bottom of the potential well adjacent an exit segment 50. Ions are gated out of the linear trap 30 into an electrostatic ion trap 130 and are detected by a secondary electron multiplier 10. By bunching the ions in the linear trap 30 prior to ejection, and by focussing the ions in time of flight (TOF) upon the entrance of the electrostatic trap 130, the ions arrive at the electrostatic trap 130 as a convolution of short, energetic packets of similar m/z. Such packets are particularly suited to an electrostatic trap because the FWHM of each packet's TOF distribution is less than the period of oscillation of those ions in the electrostatic trap.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprises an ion source which produces an ion beam from a substance to be analysed and a detector to detect a quantity of ions incident thereon. The detector includes two elements (16, 18) each of which detect a part of the quantity of ions and an attenuation device attenuates the quantity of ions reaching one of the detector elements. At least one of the detector elements (16, 18) is connected to a time to digital converter (TDC) to allow counting of the ions and at least one of the detector elements is connected in parallel to both a time to digital converter (TDC) and an analogue to digital converter (ADC).

Abstract: Rapid and efficient fragmentation of ions in an ion trap for MS/MS analysis is achieved by a pulsed fragmentation technique. Ions of interest are placed at an elevated value of Q and subjected to a relatively high amplitude, short-duration resonance excitation pulse to cause the ions to undergo collision-induced fragmentation. The Q value of the ions of interest is then reduced before significant numbers of ion fragments are expelled from the ion trap, thereby decreasing the low-mass cutoff and allowing retention and subsequent measurement of lower-mass ion fragments.

Abstract: An optical device includes at least a first and second electrical conductors. At least one optical layer overlies at least a portion of the first and second electrical conductors. An applicator is positioned proximate to said at least one optical layer to selectively redirect light from the optical layer. An electrical coupling path between said at least one applicator and one of said first or second electrical conductors, at least a portion of the coupling path traversing said at least one optical layer. At least one optical waveguide may be formed in an optical layer above said electrical conductors. A feature is located to receive light redirected by the applicator and at least one electrical coupling path, which may be included in said feature, couples the applicator and at least one of said plurality of conductors. In a further aspect, a method for manufacturing an optical device is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for variable attenuation of an optical channel includes an elongated core surrounded by a cladding. Optical energy propagating along the longitudinal axis of the core is normally confined thereto by the difference in refractive indices between the core and cladding. The thermo-optic coefficients of the core and cladding are closely matched such that waveguide confinement is substantially invariant with respect to ambient temperature. The device further includes a thermal source arranged above the core. The thermal source is operable to generate a temperature gradient of controllable magnitude along a vertical axis extending through the core. The temperature gradient causes reduction of the local refractive index within the core relative to surrounding regions of the cladding such that a portion of the optical energy is deflected away from the thermal source and extracted from the core.

Abstract: A system and method for generating position error signals within a magneto-optical computer memory device whose track pitch is close to the full width half maximum width of the laser spot, the narrow track being typical of data stored on magnetic super resolution media. The magneto-optical computer memory device comprises a storage media for storing information, position marks embossed on the storage media, a head device coupled to the storage media for sensing the position marks to generate position error signals, and a correction device coupled to the head device to access the position error signals and responsively position the head device to correctly sense the stored information.

Abstract: An absorption-type air conditioning process and system for an automobile or other vehicle is disclosed in which the sensible heat from the engine coolant is utilized to drive the generators. The invention, which employs water as the refrigerant and a lithium bromide solution as the absorbent, comprises two successive working solution absorption-generation circuits, the first circuit operating at low-intermediate pressure and the second circuit operating at intermediate-high pressure. An additional feature of the invention is the inclusion of a first and second storage reservoir holding, respectively, chilled refrigerant and concentrated working solution, the incorporation of the reservoirs permitting pre-cooling of the vehicle's interior prior to operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for scanning a surface includes a radiation emitter configured to emit at least one beam of radiation, and a rotating deflector for deflecting the beam(s) onto a scanning surface. The deflector is movable along a translation axis to modify the path of the deflected beam(s) and thereby correct for any mispositioning of the beam(s) with respect to the scanning surface.