Abstract: A movable-side magnet is provided to a movable portion in a vacuum chamber. A drive unit is provided outside the vacuum chamber, and drives the movable portion by exerting magnetic force on the movable-side magnet. The drive unit has a first magnet, a second magnet, and a moving mechanism (moving member). The first magnet exerts magnetic force of attracting the movable-side magnet. The second magnet is provided to be adjacent to the first magnet, and exerts magnetic force of repelling the movable-side magnet. The moving mechanism integrally moves the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: In order to simplify a power circuit, a linear ion trap (2) according to the present invention includes: two first rod electrodes (21, 22) facing each other across a central axis (C), each of the first rod electrodes having an opening (21a, 22a); two second rod electrodes (23, 24) facing each other across the central axis, in a direction different from the direction in which the two first rod electrodes face each other; and a pair of end electrodes (25, 26) respectively arranged outside the two end faces of the two first rod electrodes and the two second rod electrodes. A controller (7) is provided to control a radio-frequency voltage supplier (4) which applies a radio-frequency voltage for capturing ions to each of the two second rod electrodes, and an excitation voltage supplier (5) which applies a voltage for resonance excitation to each of the two first rod electrodes.

Abstract: In order to display an image which enables easy observation of the state of adhesion of a sample regardless of the kind of matrix, its distribution and other factors in a MALDI mass spectrometer configured to irradiate a sample on a sample plate (15) with laser light to ionize a component in the sample and perform a mass spectrometric analysis, the MALDI mass spectrometer includes: a plurality of light source units (30a, 30b), each configured to emit a beam of light with a different wavelength distribution; an illumination light switching section (42, 31) configured to selectively cast one of the beams of light emitted from the light source units, onto the sample plate as illumination light; and an imaging section (32) configured to acquire an optical image of the sample plate formed by the illumination light, the imaging section being common to the light source units.

Abstract: The invention provides a matrix observation device where a location to be irradiated with a laser beam that provides high efficiency of the ionization can be found from among sample spots arranged on a sample plate. The device is formed of: a stage 31 on which a sample plate 20 on which a sample is to be arranged is to be placed; a light source unit 40 that emits ultraviolet rays for observation with which the sample plate 20 is irradiated; and an image acquisition unit 50 for detecting light from the sample plate 20 so as to create an optical image, and the sample contains a matrix that absorbs the ultraviolet rays for observation.

Abstract: In order to display an image which enables easy observation of the state of adhesion of a sample regardless of the kind of matrix, its distribution and other factors in a MALDI mass spectrometer configured to irradiate a sample on a sample plate (15) with laser light to ionize a component in the sample and perform a mass spectrometric analysis, the MALDI mass spectrometer includes: a plurality of light source units (30a, 30b), each configured to emit a beam of light with a different wavelength distribution; an illumination light switching section (42, 31) configured to selectively cast one of the beams of light emitted from the light source units, onto the sample plate as illumination light; and an imaging section (32) configured to acquire an optical image of the sample plate formed by the illumination light, the imaging section being common to the light source units.

Abstract: An ion analyzer includes: a sample placement unit 2 on which a sample 1 is to be placed; an excitation beam irradiation unit 3 that irradiates the sample 1 placed on the sample placement unit 2 with an excitation beam in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the sample 1; a deflection unit 6 that makes at least some of ions generated from the sample 1 to fly in a direction deviating from an irradiation path of the excitation beam; and an analysis unit 8 disposed in a flight direction of ions deflected by the deflection unit 6, that separates and measures the ions in accordance with a predetermined physical quantity.

Abstract: A movable-side magnet is provided to a movable portion in a vacuum chamber. A drive unit is provided outside the vacuum chamber, and drives the movable portion by exerting magnetic force on the movable-side magnet. The drive unit has a first magnet, a second magnet, and a moving mechanism (moving member). The first magnet exerts magnetic force of attracting the movable-side magnet. The second magnet is provided to be adjacent to the first magnet, and exerts magnetic force of repelling the movable-side magnet. The moving mechanism integrally moves the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: A metallic plate holder 3 is directly placed on a flat bottom plate 1a of a sample chamber. A linear guide 21 extending in x-direction is located below the bottom plate. Another linear guide 22 extending in y-direction is fixed to a movable part 21a of the linear guide 21. A magnet 23, fixed to a movable part 22a of the linear guide 22, magnetically attracts the plate holder across the bottom plate. When the magnet is two-dimensionally driven by the linear guides, the plate holder follows it and moves two-dimensionally. The flat bottom plate limits the z-position of the plate holder, thereby reducing the fluctuation in the level of the sample on a sample plate 2 due to the movement. Thus, the variation in the level at different positions on the sample plate is reduced, so that the number of times of a calibrant measurement can be decreased.

Abstract: Conversion dynodes (CDs) 31 and 32 are respectively provided for ion-ejection ports 21a and 22a facing each other across the central axis C of a linear ion trap (LIT) 2. A shield plate 34 having ion-passage openings 34a is provided between LIT and CDs. A voltage slightly lower than the voltage applied to CDs is applied to the shield plate. Ions ejected from LIT by resonant excitation are accelerated by an electric field between LIT and the shield plate, having their trajectories gradually curved, to eventually reach CDs through the ion-passage openings. Upon receiving the ions, CDs emit electrons. Some electrons may initially move toward the shielding plate, but will be repelled to and detected by an electron multiplier tube 33. CDs can be made of aluminum or similar inexpensive materials, which reduces the cost as well as eliminates the loss of the ions and improves detection sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention provides a matrix observation device where a location to be irradiated with a laser beam that provides high efficiency of the ionization can be found from among sample spots arranged on a sample plate. The device is formed of: a stage 31 on which a sample plate 20 on which a sample is to be arranged is to be placed; a light source unit 40 that emits ultraviolet rays for observation with which the sample plate 20 is irradiated; and an image acquisition unit 50 for detecting light from the sample plate 20 so as to create an optical image, and the sample contains a matrix that absorbs the ultraviolet rays for observation.

Abstract: A metallic plate holder 3 is directly placed on a flat bottom plate 1a of a sample chamber. A linear guide 21 extending in x-direction is located below the bottom plate. Another linear guide 22 extending in y-direction is fixed to a movable part 21a of the linear guide 21. A magnet 23, fixed to a movable part 22a of the linear guide 22, magnetically attracts the plate holder across the bottom plate. When the magnet is two-dimensionally driven by the linear guides, the plate holder follows it and moves two-dimensionally. The flat bottom plate limits the z-position of the plate holder, thereby reducing the fluctuation in the level of the sample on a sample plate 2 due to the movement. Thus, the variation in the level at different positions on the sample plate is reduced, so that the number of times of a calibrant measurement can be decreased.

Abstract: An ion analyzer includes: a sample placement unit 2 on which a sample 1 is to be placed; an excitation beam irradiation unit 3 that irradiates the sample 1 placed on the sample placement unit 2 with an excitation beam in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the sample 1; a deflection unit 6 that makes at least some of ions generated from the sample 1 to fly in a direction deviating from an irradiation path of the excitation beam; and an analysis unit 8 disposed in a flight direction of ions deflected by the deflection unit 6, that separates and measures the ions in accordance with a predetermined physical quantity.

Abstract: A cloud of ions captured in an ion trap (2) is irradiated with a stream of hydrogen radicals cast through a radical particle introduction hole (26) bored in a ring electrode (21) at a flow rate of 4×1010 [atoms/s]. As a result, a radical induced dissociation which does not rely on the transfer or capture of electrons occurs within the ion trap (2), whereby c/z-type fragment ions are efficiently generated. After the irradiation with the hydrogen radicals, a supplemental collision-induced dissociation process may performed by introducing inert gas into the ion trap (2) and resonantly exciting the ions, in order to further promote the generation of the c/z-type fragment ions. In this manner, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve radical induced dissociation of singly-charged ions derived from a peptide and use the thereby generated c/z-type fragment ions for mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A cloud of ions captured in an ion trap (2) is irradiated with a stream of hydrogen radicals cast through a radical particle introduction hole (26) bored in a ring electrode (21) at a flow rate of 4×1010 [atoms/s]. As a result, a radical induced dissociation which does not rely on the transfer or capture of electrons occurs within the ion trap (2), whereby c/z-type fragment ions are efficiently generated. After the irradiation with the hydrogen radicals, a supplemental collision-induced dissociation process may performed by introducing inert gas into the ion trap (2) and resonantly exciting the ions, in order to further promote the generation of the c/z-type fragment ions. In this manner, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve radical induced dissociation of singly-charged ions derived from a peptide and use the thereby generated c/z-type fragment ions for mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Provided is an ion selection method capable of isolating and leaving a target ion in an ion trap within a short period of time and with high separating power. In a digital ion trap, after ions over a wide range of m/z near a target ion are selectively retained by rough isolation using an FNF signal or the like (S11), unnecessary ions on a low-mass side are removed with high separating power by changing the duty ratio of a rectangular voltage (S12). Furthermore, unnecessary ions on a high-mass side are removed with high separating power by resonant excitation discharge (S13).

Abstract: Provided is an ion selection method capable of isolating and leaving a target ion in an ion trap within a short period of time and with high separating power. In a digital ion trap, after ions over a wide range of m/z near a target ion are selectively retained by rough isolation using an FNF signal or the like (S11), unnecessary ions on a low-mass side are removed with high separating power by changing the duty ratio of a rectangular voltage (S12). Furthermore, unnecessary ions on a high-mass side are removed with high separating power by resonant excitation discharge (S13).

Abstract: A time-of-flight type mass spectrometer in which, at the time when ions are generated by irradiating a sample with a laser beam, an extraction electric field having a potential gradient that decreases gradually from a sample plate toward an extraction electrode is formed. Ions are roughly separated in accordance with the m/z in the extraction region due to the effect of this electric field, and ions with a large m/z remain near the sample. The voltages applied to the sample plate and an auxiliary electrode are increased after a delay time has passed so as to form an acceleration electric field having a potential gradient with a polygonal line pattern. Since this electric field is similar to an ideal potential gradient curve, it is possible to provide the ions with appropriate potential energy changes for each m/z, improving resolution by appropriately realizing energy convergence over a wide m/z range.

Abstract: Ions supplied in the form of a pulse are introduced into an ion trap through an ion entering orifice while a rectangular voltage of a frequency higher than the frequency at which the best trap is accomplished is applied to a ring electrode from a trap voltage generating unit. With this, since a well of a pseudo ion potential is formed in a radial direction in the ion trap, the spread of ions of low m/z values introduced previously is suppressed. A part of ions is introduced into the ion trap, and thereafter the frequency of the rectangular voltage applied to the ring electrode is lowered stepwise to the frequency at which the best trap is accomplished. As a result, the ions of the low m/z values introduced previously can be efficiently trapped, and introduction of ions of high m/z values reaching the ion trap later is not hindered.

Abstract: While applying a square wave voltage to the ion electrode (21) so that ions already captured in the ion trap (20) do not disperse, the timing of irradiating a laser light for ion generation is controlled in such a manner that ions reach the ion inlet (25) at a predetermined timing of a cycle of the voltage. In the case of a positive ion (cation) for example, the timing of laser light irradiation is adjusted in such a manner that the target ions reach the ion inlet (25) in the low level period of a cycle of the square wave voltage. By injecting ions in addition to the ions already captured in the ion trap (20) in this manner, the amount of ions can be increased, and by performing a mass separation and detection after that, the signal intensity in one mass analysis can be increased. Accordingly, by decreasing the number of repetitions of the mass analysis for summing up mass profiles, the measuring time can be shortened.

Abstract: While applying a square wave voltage to the ion electrode (21) so that ions already captured in the ion trap (20) do not disperse, the frequency of the square wave voltage is temporarily increased at the timing when the ions generated in response to the short time irradiation of a laser light reach the ion inlet (25). This decreases the Mathieu parameter qz, and the potential well becomes shallow, which makes it easy for ions to enter the ion trap (20). Although the ions that have been already captured become more likely to disperse, the frequency of the square wave voltage is decreased before they deviate from the stable orbit. Thus, the dispersion of the ions can also be avoided. Accordingly, while the number of captured ions is not decreased, new ions are further added, and thereby the amount of ions can be increased. By performing a mass separation and detection after that, the signal intensity in one mass analysis can be increased.