Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of curved electrodes arranged along a curved central axis. The plurality of electrodes define a curved ion guide region, with the curved ion guide region beginning at an ion entrance and ending at an ion exit. The ion guide includes an ion deflecting device configured to apply a radial DC electric field across the ion guide region and along the curved central axis. The ion guide region has a radius of curvature that varies along the curved central axis, and the radius of curvature is at a maximum at the ion entrance and decreases along the curved central axis toward the ion exit.

Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of curved electrodes arranged along a curved central axis. The plurality of electrodes define a curved ion guide region, with the curved ion guide region beginning at an ion entrance and ending at an ion exit. The ion guide includes an ion deflecting device configured to apply a radial DC electric field across the ion guide region and along the curved central axis. The ion guide region has a radius of curvature that varies along the curved central axis, and the radius of curvature is at a maximum at the ion entrance and decreases along the curved central axis toward the ion exit.

Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of lenses arranged in series along a curved central axis. Each lens includes a body and a central opening, and the central openings of the plurality of disks define a curved ion guide region. The ion guide includes an ion deflector configured to apply a radial DC electric field across the ion guide region and along the curved central axis. The ion deflector includes at least one DC voltage source that is configured to apply a positive DC voltage to at least some of the plurality of lenses and a negative DC voltage to at least some of the plurality of lenses.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry apparatus includes an ion detector and a control circuit coupled to the ion detector. The ion detector includes a pulse counting stage and an analog stage configured to generate a pulse counting signal and an analog signal, respectively, responsive to incident ions. The a control circuit is configured to output the pulse counting signal in a pulse counting output mode and to output the analog signal in an analog output mode. The control circuit is configured to switch from the pulse counting output mode to the analog output mode responsive to the pulse counting signal exceeding a first threshold within a range of about 10 million counts per second to about 200 million counts per second. Related devices and operating methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry apparatus includes an ion detector and a control circuit coupled to the ion detector. The ion detector includes a pulse counting stage and an analog stage configured to generate a pulse counting signal and an analog signal, respectively, responsive to incident ions. The a control circuit is configured to output the pulse counting signal in a pulse counting output mode and to output the analog signal in an analog output mode. The control circuit is configured to switch from the pulse counting output mode to the analog output mode responsive to the pulse counting signal exceeding a first threshold within a range of about 10 million counts per second to about 200 million counts per second. Related devices and operating methods are also discussed.

Abstract: An ICP torch includes an injector tube defining an injector flow passage to receive a flow of a sample fluid, an intermediate tube disposed about the injector tube, a plasma tube disposed about the intermediate tube, and an induction coil disposed about the plasma tube. An auxiliary gas passage is defined between the injector tube and the intermediate tube to receive a flow of an auxiliary gas. A plasma gas passage is defined between the intermediate tube and the plasma tube to receive a flow of a plasma gas. The induction coil can produce a plasma proximate a torch distal end. The induction coil extends axially from a coil proximal end to a coil distal end proximate the torch distal end. The plasma tube includes an outlet opening proximate the torch distal end. The outlet opening is at least partially coincident with or axially inset from the coil distal end.

Abstract: A mass analysis system including a sample inlet arranged to introduce a sample and an ion source coupled to the sample inlet and arranged to ionize a portion of the sample into ions. The system also includes a sampler element having a sample orifice arranged to receive the sample ions into a first vacuum chamber. The system includes a skimmer element having a skimmer orifice arranged to receive the sample ions from the first vacuum chamber into a second vacuum chamber where the skimmer orifice is of a first size. The system further includes a third cone element having a third cone orifice of a second size arranged to receive the sample ions from the second vacuum chamber into a third vacuum chamber where the third cone is configured to allow a continuum flow of ions through the third cone orifice. The third chamber includes an ion optics assembly and mass analyzer.

Abstract: A gas delivery system for a cell-based mass spectrometer includes a mass flow controller having an input coupled to a gas source. A three-way valve includes an input coupled to an output of the mass flow controller, a first output coupled to a vacuum system, and a second output normally coupled to a reaction or collision cell. A cell is positioned inside a vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer where the second output of the three-way valve is coupled to an inlet of the cell and the mass flow controller provides a gas to the cell that increases a pressure inside the cell relative to the pressure in the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A mass analysis system including a sample inlet arranged to introduce a sample and an ion source coupled to the sample inlet and arranged to ionize a portion of the sample into ions. The system also includes a sampler element having a sample orifice arranged to receive the sample ions into a first vacuum chamber. The system includes a skimmer element having a skimmer orifice arranged to receive the sample ions from the first vacuum chamber into a second vacuum chamber where the skimmer orifice is of a first size. The system further includes a third cone element having a third cone orifice of a second size arranged to receive the sample ions from the second vacuum chamber into a third vacuum chamber where the third cone is configured to allow a continuum flow of ions through the third cone orifice. The third chamber includes an ion optics assembly and mass analyzer.

Abstract: A gas delivery system for a cell-based mass spectrometer includes a mass flow controller having an input coupled to a gas source. A three-way valve includes an input coupled to an output of the mass flow controller, a first output coupled to a vacuum system, and a second output normally coupled to a reaction or collision cell. A cell is positioned inside a vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer where the second output of the three-way valve is coupled to an inlet of the cell and the mass flow controller provides a gas to the cell that increases a pressure inside the cell relative to the pressure in the vacuum chamber.