Abstract: A laser ablation cell (1) comprises a flow channel (11) having an essentially constant cross-sectional area so as to ensure a strictly laminar flow in the flow channel. A sample chamber (21) is provided adjacent to a lateral opening (14) of the flow channel. A laser beam (41) enters the sample chamber (21) through a lateral window (16) and impinges on a surface (24) of a sample (23) to ablate material from the sample. The sample may be positioned in such a distance from the flow channel that the laser-generated aerosol mass distribution has its center within the flow channel. This leads to short aerosol washout times. The laser ablation cell is particularly well suited for aerosol generation in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), including imaging applications.

Abstract: A method of time-of-flight mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing two ion mirrors (42) that are spaced apart in a first dimension (X-dimension) and that are each elongated in a second dimension (Z-dimension) orthogonal to the first dimension; introducing packets of ions (47) into the space between the mirrors using an ion introduction mechanism (43) such that the ions repeatedly oscillate in the first dimension (X-dimension) between the mirrors (42) as they drift through said space in the second dimension (Z-dimension); oscillating the ions in a third dimension (Y-dimension) orthogonal to both the first and second dimensions as the ions drift through said space in the second dimension (Z-dimension); and receiving the ions in or on an ion receiving mechanism (44) after the ions have oscillated multiple times in the first dimension (X-dimension); wherein at least part of the ion introduction mechanism (43) and/or at least part of the ion receiving mechanism (44) is arranged between the mirrors (42

Abstract: A laser processing system includes a wavelength tunable laser apparatus capable of changing the wavelength of pulsed laser light to be outputted, an optical system irradiating a workpiece with the pulsed laser light, a reference wavelength acquisition section acquiring a reference wavelength corresponding to photon absorption according to the material of the workpiece, a laser processing controller controlling the wavelength tunable laser apparatus to perform preprocessing before final processing performed on the workpiece, changes the wavelength of the pulsed laser light over a predetermined range containing the reference wavelength, and performs wavelength search preprocessing at a plurality of wavelengths, a processed state measurer measuring a processed state on a wavelength basis achieved by the wavelength search preprocessing performed at the plurality of wavelengths, and an optimum wavelength determination section assessing the processed state on a wavelength basis to determine an optimum wavelength us

Abstract: A voltage applied to an exit gate electrode forming a potential barrier and temporarily trapping ions within the inner space of the ion guide is higher than a voltage at an ion guide's exit end. A higher voltage is applied to the exit gate electrode for a lower m/z value of the measurement target ion, to push back the ion which has slowly moved along a potential gradient and reached the exit end of the ion guide. An ion having a lower m/z value is more likely to be located in a farther region from the exit end and forced to travel a longer distance when voltage applied to the exit gate electrode is lowered. A lower m/z value also means a higher travelling speed toward the orthogonal accelerator, whereby m/z dependency of the time required for travel from the ion guide to the orthogonal accelerator eventually becomes low.

Abstract: An ion source comprising a chamber and an electron collector is described. In one configuration, the chamber comprises a sample inlet and an ion outlet. The chamber may also include an electron inlet configured to receive electrons from an electron source. The electron collector can be arranged in opposition to the electron inlet. The chamber can be configured to direct an electron beam from the electron source along a path with the chamber transverse to a path between the gas inlet and the ion outlet. The chamber may comprise an ion guide that includes a guide axis offset from an axis of the ion outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: An aftertreatment system comprises a particulate filter configured to filter PM possessing a predetermined, least effective size range included in an exhaust gas flowing through the aftertreatment system. A PM sensor assembly is positioned downstream of the particulate filter and includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, a sidewall and defines an internal volume. A PM sensor is positioned within the internal volume. The housing is configured to redirect a flow of exhaust gas entering the PM sensor assembly around the PM sensor so that small particles included in the exhaust gas flow having a first size within or smaller than the predetermined size range are directed around the particulate matter sensor. Large particles having a second size larger than the predetermined size range impact the PM sensor. A controller is communicatively coupled to the PM sensor.

Abstract: An ion mirror is disclosed comprising an ion entrance electrode section (62) at the ion entrance to the ion mirror, an energy focussing electrode section (66) for reflecting ions back along a longitudinal axis towards said ion entrance, and a spatial focussing electrode section (64) arranged between the ion entrance electrode section (62) and the energy focussing electrode section (66) for spatially focussing the ions. One or more DC voltage supply is provided to apply a DC potential to the ion entrance electrode section (62) that is intermediate the DC potential applied to the spatial focussing electrode section (64) and the DC potential applied to the energy focussing electrode section (66).

Abstract: A particle-measuring apparatus (1) for determining the particle mass concentration in aerosols having different properties has an aerosol photometer (2), by means of which a photometer measured value, which is dependent on the particle mass concentration in the aerosol, can be measured, and an evaluation unit (9), into which photometer measured values measured by the aerosol photometer (2) can be input and in which the input photometer measured values can be processed in order to output corrected particle mass concentration values.

Abstract: A mass analyzer includes two chambers for ionizing gas to form ions and/or introducing reaction gases to aid in ionization. A first chamber includes an electron to allow electron bombardment of a first gas. A second chamber receives a second gas and ions from the first chamber to allow interaction between the second gas, and the ions from the first chamber. The first and/or second gas may include analyte.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising ion optics that map an array of ions at an ion source array (71) to a corresponding array of positions on a position sensitive ion detector (79). The ion optics include at least one gridless ion mirror (76) for reflecting ions, which may compensate for various aberrations and allows the spectrometer to have relatively high mass and spatial resolutions.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, methods and systems for differential mobility spectrometry are provided herein for simultaneously applying a plurality of SV/CV combinations to subsets of a population of ions generated by one or more ion sources. In various aspects, DMS devices in accordance with the present teachings can provide multiple channels (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more) for operating in parallel and within which different electrical fields can be generated for filtering sample ions within those channels based on the characteristic mobilities of the ions within each channel. In this manner, devices and methods in accordance with the present teachings can, in various aspects, enable improved duty cycle, increased throughput, decreased sample consumption, increased sensitivity for a plurality of ions of interest, and/or increased resolution.

Abstract: Provided is a compact device which captures, over a large solid angle range, electrically charged particles emitted from a point source and parallelizes the trajectories of said charged particles. The present invention is configured from: an electrostatic lens comprising a plurality of axisymmetric electrodes (10-14) and an axisymmetric aspherical mesh (2) which has a surface that is concave away from the point source; and a flat collimator plate (3) positioned coaxially with the electrostatic lens. The acceptance angle for the electrically charged particles generated from a point source (7) is ±30° or greater. The shape of the aspherical mesh (2), and the potentials and the positions of a ground electrode (10) and application electrodes (11-15) are adjusted so that the trajectories of the electrically charged particles are substantially parallelized by the electrostatic lens. The electrostatic lens and the flat collimator plate are positioned on a common axis.

Abstract: A conductivity cell system includes a flow tube having a flow through hole extending from a first end of the flow tube to a second end of the flow tube, a plurality of electrodes positioned in the flow tube, and circuitry connected to the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes form pairs of electrodes, each pair consisting of two electrodes positioned across the flow tube from each other and being connected together.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising passing ions to an oversampled Time of Flight mass analyser (4) and sequentially recording ion signals on a plurality of different channels (51, 52) to obtain a plurality of first oversampled mass spectral data sets of reduced complexity. An upstream separation device (3) may be provided to further reduce the complexity of each of the mass spectral data sets.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising isolating a group of different ions derived from chemical compounds in the same class, wherein the different ions have different mass to charge ratios and ion mobilities. The step of isolating comprises temporally separating the ions according to their ion mobility in an ion mobility separator; and mass filtering the ions according to mass to charge ratio with a mass filter. The mass to charge ratios transmitted by the mass filter are varied as a function of time such that said different ions derived from chemical compounds in the same class are transmitted by the mass filter and other ions are not transmitted by the mass filter.

Abstract: An apparatus 41 and operation method are provided for an electrostatic trap mass spectrometer with measuring frequency of multiple isochronous ionic oscillations. For improving throughput and space charge capacity, the trap is substantially extended in one Z-direction forming a reproduced two-dimensional field. Multiple geometries are provided for trap Z-extension. The throughput of the analysis is improved by multiplexing electrostatic traps. The frequency analysis is accelerated by the shortening of ion packets and either by Wavelet-fit analysis of the image current signal or by using a time-of-flight detector for sampling a small portion of ions per oscillation. Multiple pulsed converters are suggested for optimal ion injection into electrostatic traps.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ion migration tube and a method of operation the same. The ion migration tube includes an interior space and an ion gate disposed within the interior space, the interior space includes an ionization region having an absolute value of potential V1 and a migration region. An ion gate is disposed between the ionization region and the migration region and includes a first ion gate grid having an absolute value of potential V2 and a second ion gate grid having an absolute value of potential V3, the migration region comprises at least a first migration region electrode having an absolute value of potential V4 and a second migration region electrode having an absolute value of potential V5. When the ion gate is opened, a potential well is formed for ionized ions between the first ion gate grid and the first migration region electrode so as to compress an ion group entering the migration region.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) circuit configured to detect a photon, including a first input for receiving a first voltage (VSPAD), a second input for receiving a first signal (SHUTTER), a third input for receiving a second voltage (VDD), and an output; a logic circuit configured to latch the detected photon, including a first input connected to the output of the SPAD circuit, a second input for receiving a second signal (TXRMD), and an output; and a pinned photo diode (PPD) circuit configured to record a time of flight (TOF) of the detected photon, including a first input connected to the output of the logic circuit, a second input for receiving a third signal (VTX), a third input for receiving a fourth signal (RST), a fourth input for receiving a third voltage (VPIX), a fifth input for receiving a fifth signal (SEL), and an output.

Abstract: A system for expressing an ion path in a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The present invention uses two successive curved sectors, with the second one reversed, to form S-shaped configuration such that an output ion beam is parallel to an input ion beam, such that the ions makes two identical but opposed turns, and such that the geometry of the entire system folds into a very compact volume. Geometry of a TOF mass spectrometer system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention further includes straight drift regions positioned before and after the S-shaped configuration and, optionally, a short straight region positioned between the two curved sectors with total length equal to about the length of the central arc of both curved sectors.

Abstract: A method for creating a first data set for modifying an irradiation plan parameter data set used for controlling an irradiation system for irradiating a target volume in an irradiation volume using an ion beam includes defining a sensitive volume within the biological material to be irradiated, determining a fluence distribution of the ion beam, determining a microscopic dose distribution of the ion beam, determining, from the microscopic dose distribution of the ion beam, a spatial microscopic damage distribution of the ion beam, determining an expected value for a number of correlated damage events in a sub-micrometer range in the sensitive volume from the spatial microscopic damage distribution of the ion beam in the sensitive volume, determining the effect of the ion beam on the biological material, and storing data that indicate the effect of the ion beam on the material.

Abstract: A data acquisition system for a TOF mass spectrometer comprises a processing module and a data collection module. The processing module generates a stream of data comprising, for each respective transient of a first scan, a set of time-intensity related parameter pairs. For each new set of data, the data collection module reads out a previous set of data from a previous memory bank, merges that previous set of data with the new set of data, and writes that latest merged set of data into a memory bank other than the previous memory bank. The data acquisition system provides a convenient way to merge sequential sets of time-intensity related parameter pairs for respective transients as a stream of data for a first scan is generated.

Abstract: A hybrid mass spectrometer comprising: an ion source for generating ions from a sample, a first mass spectral system comprising a nanoelectromechanical mass spectral (NEMS-MS) system, a second mass spectral system including at least one mass analyzer adapted to separate the charged particles according to their mass-to-charge ratios, and an integration zone coupling the first and second mass spectral systems, the integration zone including at least one directional device for controllably routing the ions to a selected one or both of the first and second mass spectral systems for analysis thereby. The second system can be an orbital electrostatic trap system. The ion beam can be electrically directed to one or the other system by ion optics. A chip with resonators can be used with cooling. Uses include analysis of large mass complexes found in biological systems, native single molecule analysis, and size and shape analysis.

Abstract: A method of validating data produced from a multiplexing process on an analytical instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes using a pseudorandom sequence to encode a multiplexed segment of data; applying Hadamard transform to generate a demultiplexed segment of the data; aligning the pseudorandom sequence to the multiplexed data; and calculating a score for at least one positive value in the demultiplexed segment to find a valid demultiplexed value.

Abstract: A method of determining the structure of a macromolecular assembly (MMA) comprises the steps of (a) generating precursor ions of an MMA species to be investigated; (b) transporting the MMA precursor ions to a fragmentation zone; (c) carrying out pulsed fragmentation of the MMA precursor ions in the fragmentation zone; (d) for a first plurality of MMA precursor ions, detecting both a spatial distribution of the resultant MMA fragment ions, and an m/z distribution of the MMA fragment ions; (e) analyzing the spatial and m/z distributions of fragment ions formed from the said first plurality of precursor ions of the MMA species to be investigated, to determine the relative positions of those fragment ions within the structure of the precursor MMA; and (f) reconstructing the three dimensional (3D) structure of the MMA from the analysis of the spatial and m/z distributions of fragment ions.

Abstract: A secondary ion mass spectrometer comprises: (a) a first primary ion source for generating a first pulsed primary ion beam with short pulse durations; (b) a second primary ion source for generating a second pulsed primary ion beam with pulse durations in the range of 50 ns and up to 5 s; (c) a first TOF-SIMS analysis unit for mass spectroscopic analysis of the secondary ions generated by the primary ion pulses of the first primary ion source from a sample; and (d) a second analysis unit for mass spectroscopic analysis of the secondary ions generated by the primary ion pulses of the second primary ion source from a sample.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising digitizing a plurality of individual signals or transients and summing the plurality of digitized signals or transients or data relating to the plurality of digitized signals or transients to generate a composite mass spectral data set. The method further comprises determining in relation to the composite mass spectral data set an indication of the proportion of instances that intensity values relating to the individual digitized signals or transients either: (i) exceeded or approached a threshold value; (ii) suffered from saturation or approached saturation; or (iii) resulted from the dynamic range of an ion detector system being exceeded or approached.

Abstract: Improvements to a side-on Penning trap include a feedback system for stabilizing the magnetic field. This system includes a magnetic sensor that measures the magnetic field and a solenoid coil that in response to the magnetic field measurements increases or decreases the overall magnetic field. Improvements also include a number of different configurations of the two sets of PCB electrodes used to produce the quadrupole electric field. Dimensions of the PCB electrodes are optimized, an equipotential surface electrode is added, and additional ring electrodes are added to produce a purer quadrupole field. A central disk electrode is segmented to direct charged particles to the trap center to make the trap useful for applications other than mass spectrometry. Finally, outer ring electrodes are segmented to increase the path of charged particles, thereby increasing sensitivity.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer and an ion gate. A collision cell is arranged downstream of the ion gate. The operation of the ion mobility spectrometer and the ion gate are synchronized so that only ions having a particular mass to charge ration and a desired charge state are onwardly transmitted to the collision cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a DMS precursor ion survey scan. An ion source configured to receive a sample is instructed to ionize the sample using a processor. A DMS device configured to receive ions from the ion source is instructed to separate precursor ions received from the ion source and transmit precursor ions using two or more CoVs using the processor. A mass analyzer configured to receive transmitted precursor ions from the DMS device is instructed to measure the m/z intensities of the transmitted precursor ions across an m/z range at each CoV of the two or more CoVs using the processor. The measured m/z intensities of the transmitted precursor ions received from the mass analyzer are stored as a function of m/z value and CoV using the processor. This produces a stored two-dimensional mapping of m/z intensities of the precursor ions of the sample.

Abstract: An ion guide comprises a first ion guide portion that forms a first ion guiding path and a second ion guide portion that forms a second ion guiding path. A first device applies a plurality of different first voltages or potentials to the electrodes of the first ion guide portion in order to generate an electric field that directs ions from the first ion guiding path of the first ion guide portion into the second ion guiding path of the second ion guide portion. The use of plural different first voltages can provide a controlled transfer of ions from the first ion guiding path into the second ion guiding path.

Abstract: A tandem collision/reaction cell for an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system includes a first ion guide, a second ion guide, and an intermediate electrode in the vicinity of an exit end of the first ion guide. A DC potential barrier is applied to the intermediate electrode. The cell may provide two or more stages of an ion-molecule collision process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for processing data transformed according to an invertible transform (e.g., using a Hadamard transform) multiplexing scheme. In one example of the disclosed technology, a computer-implemented method includes generating transformed data by applying a Hadamard transform to intensity data generated by modulating input of analytes into a mass spectrometer according to a pseudorandom sequence (PRS). The exemplary method further includes identifying at least one pair of symmetric intensity peaks in the transformed data based on the PRS and removing data associated with the pair of symmetric peaks from the transformed data to produce modified data, which can be used to identify, characterize, and/or quantify the composition of the sample. In some examples, the exemplary method further includes validating peaks in the transformed data based on comparing the location of peaks in the untransformed intensity data.

Abstract: In a device adjustment process, when a solenoid valve is opened, a gas resulting from vaporization of PFTBA held in a container is drawn into an ion source, a relationship between ambient temperature and a correction coefficient for actual signal values is experimentally determined beforehand. In an actual adjustment process, an ambient temperature acquirer reads the ambient temperature and refers to the correction information to determine the correction coefficient corresponding to the ambient temperature at that moment. A signal value corrector multiplies an actually measured peak area value by the correction coefficient to correct the actual signal value. A device adjustment controller adjusts a voltage applied to an ion detector so that the corrected actual signal value matches with a reference signal value. The voltage applied to the ion detector can be thereby adjusted so that the detector has the same level of gain independent of the ambient temperature.

Abstract: Method and systems for managing clear-down are provided. The method can include generating a clear-down trigger associated with an ion mobility spectrometer and operating the ion mobility spectrometer in fast clear-down mode in response to the clear-down trigger. Methods and systems can further provide that where the ion mobility spectrometer operates in fast-switching mode, the ion mobility spectrometer alternating a plurality of times between operation according to a positive ion mode and operation according to a negative ion mode, and further operating according to the positive ion mode for less than about 1 second before switching to the operation according to the negative ion mode, and operating according to the negative ion mode for less than about 1 second before switching to the operation according to the positive ion mode.

Abstract: There is no small ion detecting apparatus that quickly and easily performs mass spectrometry under atmospheric pressure. Therefore, in order to solve the problem, an electrode arrangement and an electrode holding form for enabling water clusters in outside air to be detected with high sensitivity are provided. By using such solving means, it is possible to detect ions in a place having spatial constraints.

Abstract: The invention proposes a mass spectrometer comprising two ion mobility analyzers in tandem arrangement, of which at least one is a trapped ion mobility spectrometer (TIMS), and an ion gate which is located between the two ion mobility analyzers, and use thereof wherein ions are selectively transferred between the two ion mobility analyzers by adjusting the transmission of the ion gate while ions are separated in time according to ion mobility in the first ion mobility analyzer.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems for incorporating bio-sensors in drones to wirelessly detect biological molecules and hazards without exposing an operator to harmful contaminants or conditions. Bio-sensors can incorporate simultaneous dual-detection methods to ensure accuracy of measurements. Methods of operation include registering blank and safe air profiles for comparison against unknown air profiles to accurately determine the presence of bio-contaminants in unknown air.

Abstract: Instruments are disclosed for analyzing ions from about 1000 to 10,000,000 Daltons by controlling a gaseous medium through which the ions travel under the influence of an electric field so that properties of the ions, such as diameter, electrical mobility, and charge, are measured. One embodiment of the disclosed instruments includes an ion source, a nozzle, a jet relaxation region, an ion accumulation region, an electronic gate, a flow chamber and an ion detector.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an ionizing radiation detector, with the aim of determining a correction factor in order to establish an amplitude-energy correspondence The invention first relates to a method for calibrating a device for detecting ionizing radiation, the detector comprising a semiconductor or scintillator detection material capable of generating a signal S of amplitude A upon interaction between ionizing radiation and the detection material, the method including the determination of a weighting factor of amplitude A.

Abstract: A method may include generating a plasma in a plasma chamber, the plasma comprising an etchant species and extracting a pulsed ion beam from the plasma chamber and directing the pulsed ion beam to a substrate, where the pulsed ion beam comprises an ON portion and an OFF portion. During the OFF portion the substrate may not be biased with respect to the plasma chamber, and the duration of the OFF portion may be less than a transit time of the etchant species from the plasma chamber to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to the measurement of current profiles of free-flying ion or electron clusters which impinge on a detector electrode of a Faraday detector. The detector electrode here consists of a large number of structural elements in a bipolar arrangement, where neighboring structural elements have opposite polarities and structural elements with the same polarity are electrically connected, and a voltage is applied between neighboring structural elements so that before ions or electrons impinge on the detection electrode, they are essentially deflected onto the structural elements with one of the two polarities. If the current profiles on the structural elements of the two polarities are measured separately and subtracted from each other, a current profile which corresponds to the pure ion or electron current profile is obtained without using a screen grid.

Abstract: A multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprises a pair of parallel aligned ion mirrors and a set of periodic lenses for confining ion packets along the drift z-direction. To compensate for time-of-flight spherical aberrations T|zz created by the periodic lenses, at least one set of electrodes are disposed within the apparatus, forming an accelerating or reflecting electrostatic fields which are curved in the z-direction in order to form local negative T|zz aberration. The structure may be formed within an accelerator, within flinging fields or intentionally and locally curved fields of ion mirrors, within electrostatic sector interface, or at curved surface of ion to electron converter at the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus 41 and operation method are provided for an electrostatic trap mass spectrometer with measuring frequency of multiple isochronous ionic oscillations. For improving throughput and space charge capacity, the trap is substantially extended in one Z-direction forming a reproduced two-dimensional field. Multiple geometries are provided for trap Z-extension. The throughput of the analysis is improved by multiplexing electrostatic traps. The frequency analysis is accelerated by the shortening of ion packets and either by Wavelet-fit analysis of the image current signal or by using a time-of-flight detector for sampling a small portion of ions per oscillation. Multiple pulsed converters are suggested for optimal ion injection into electrostatic traps.

Abstract: A multi-reflecting, time-of-flight (MR-TOF) mass spectrometer including two quasi-planar electrostatic ion mirrors extended along drill direction (Z) and formed of parallel electrodes, separated by a field free region. The MR-TOF includes a pulsed ion source to release ion packets at a small angle to X-direction which is orthogonal to the drill direction Z. Ion packets are reflected between ion mirrors and drill along the drift direction. The mirrors are arranged to provide time-of-flight focusing ion packets on the receiver. The MR-TOF mirrors provide spatial focusing M the Y-direction orthogonal to both drift direction Z and on injection direction X. In a preferred embodiment, at least one mirror has a feature providing periodic spatial focusing of ion packets in the drift Z-direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-reflection mass spectrometer comprising two ion mirrors spaced apart and opposing each other in an X direction, each mirror elongated along a drift direction Y orthogonal to the direction X, and an ion injector for injecting ions as an ion beam into the space between the ion mirrors at an inclination angle to the X direction. Along a first portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a first degree of convergence, and along a second portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a second degree of convergence or are parallel, the first portion of their length being closer to the ion injector than the second portion and the first degree of convergence being greater than the second degree of convergence.

Abstract: A system for expressing an ion path in a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The present invention uses two successive curved sectors, with the second one reversed, to form S-shaped configuration such that an output ion beam is parallel to an input ion beam, such that the ions makes two identical but opposed turns, and such that the geometry of the entire system folds into a very compact volume. Geometry of a TOF mass spectrometer system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention further includes straight drift regions positioned before and after the S-shaped configuration and, optionally, a short straight region positioned between the two curved sectors with total length equal to about the length of the central arc of both curved sectors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting organophosphorus compounds and illicit drugs using an ion detector. A vapor sample containing at least one analyte and at least one dopant is ionized. A proton-bound adduct ion is formed between the analyte and the dopant in a reaction region defined between the ionization source and the ion detector.

Abstract: Synchronized ion modification systems and techniques are described. An ion modifier can be used to modify a portion of ions that enter a drift chamber via a gate that controls entry of the ions to the drill chamber. A controller that is communicatively coupled to the ion modifier is configured to control the ion modifier to select a portion of the ion to be modified. In embodiments, the controller selects the portion based on a detector's previous response to other ions that are formed from a sample from which the ions were formed. The other ions, for example, correspond to ions that are associated with a peak in previous operation of a spectrometer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering a continuous beam of ions are provided. An acceleration electric field is applied to a continuous beam of ions using an accelerator to produce an accelerated beam of ions. A field is applied to the accelerated beam to separate ions in time and space using a deflector producing a separated beam of ions. The field applied by the deflector is a rotating field or a circulant rastering field. The rotating field can be a rotating magnetic or electric field. Only accept those ions from the separated beam whose m/z values lie within a range centered around a target m/z value using an aperture. The aperture can include a pinhole aperture in a rotating disk or an annular aperture in a first stationary disk, a second deflector, and a pinhole aperture in the center of a second stationary disk.