Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting the rapid pyrolysis of peptides, proteins, polymers, and biological materials. The method can be carried out at atmospheric pressures and takes only about 5 to 30 seconds. The samples are cleaved at the C-terminus of aspartic acid. The apparatus employs a probe on which the sample is heated and digested components analyzed.

Abstract: An electrostatic ion mirror is disclosed providing fifth order time-per-energy focusing. The improved ion mirror has up to 18% energy acceptance at resolving power above 100,000. Multiple sets of ion mirror parameters (shape, length, and voltage of electrodes) are disclosed. Highly isochronous fields are formed with improved (above 10%) potential penetration from at least three electrodes into a region of ion turning. Cross-term spatial-energy time-of-flight aberrations of such mirrors are further improved by elongation of electrode with attracting potential or by adding a second electrode with an attracting potential.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising pulsing ions into a time of flight region and detecting the ions using an ion detector. The signal output from the ion detector is digitized to produce a digitized signal. The peak area A1 and arrival time T1 of the ion peak are determined and a degree to which the ion peak suffers from saturation is also determined. A corrected area A?1 of the ion peak is then determined based upon the degree to which the ion peak was determined to suffer from saturation.

Abstract: A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer provided with: a calibration information storage section for storing mass calibration information showing the relationship between the mass-to-charge ratio and a calibration value, with a CID gas pressure as a parameter, for each measurement mode of an MS/MS analysis including a dissociating operation using a collision cell; and a controller for calibrating the mass-to-charge ratio of the ion to be detected by a detector, by reading, from the calibration information storage section, the mass calibration information corresponding to the measurement mode to be performed and a specified CID gas pressure and by driving each the front and rear quadrupoles and using that information.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to reflectron assemblies and methods of producing them. In some configurations, a reflectron comprising a plurality of lenses each comprising a planar body and comprising a plurality of separate and individual conductors spanning a central aperture from a first side to a second side of a first surface of the planar body is described. In some instances, the plurality of conductors are each substantially parallel to each other and are positioned in the same plane.

Abstract: An inorganic mass spectrometer capable of measuring a relevant and large or the full mass spectral range simultaneously may include a suitable ion source (e.g., an ICP mass spectrometer with an ICP ion source), an ion transfer region, ion optics to separate ions out of a plasma beam, a Mattauch-Herzog type mass spectrometer with a set of charged particle beam optics to condition the ion beam before an entrance slit, and a solid state multi-channel detector substantially separated from ground potential and separated from the potential of the magnet.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a dual gain ADC detector system is disclosed comprising passing a test signal through a high gain signal path to produce a first signal and passing a test signal through a low gain signal path to produce a second signal. A time difference between the first signal and the second signal is then determined. Data from the two ADCs is then stitched to form a composite mass spectrum without needing to correct the phase between the two ADCs.

Abstract: The invention relates to time-of-flight mass spectrometers in which individual time-of-flight spectra are measured by detection systems with limited dynamic measurement range and are summed to sum spectra. The invention proposes a method to increase the dynamic range of measurement of the spectrum. To achieve this, those ion signals whose measured values display saturation of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) are replaced by correction values, particularly if several successive measured values are in saturation. The correction values are obtained from the width of the signals, preferably simply from the number of measured values in saturation.

Abstract: A system for providing signal trigger pulses comprises an equivalent time sampling unit providing transmit and receive trigger pairs, and a control unit controlling the equivalent time sampling unit to provide pseudorandom delay length variations between the trigger pairs.

Abstract: A method of ejecting ions to be analyzed from a quadrupole ion trap in which a trapping field is created by one or more RF voltages applied to one or more electrodes of the trap, the method comprising the steps of cooling the ions to be analyzed within the quadrupole ion trap until the ions are thermalized, reducing the amplitude of one or more RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap and applying the reduced amplitude RF voltages for one half cycle after the one or more RF voltages have reached a zero crossing point, turning off the RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap, and ejecting the ions to be analyzed from the quadrupole ion trap.

Abstract: A mass analysis system including a low pressure dissociation region and a differential mobility spectrometer. The differential mobility spectrometer including at least one pair of filter electrodes defining an ion flow path where the filter electrodes generate an electric field for passing through a selected portion of the sample ions based on the mobility characteristics of the sample ions. The differential mobility spectrometer also includes a voltage source that provides DC and RF voltages to at least one of the filter electrodes to generate the electric field, an ion inlet that receives sample ions that have passed through the low pressure dissociation region, and an ion outlet that outputs the selected portion of the sample ions. A mass spectrometer receives some or all of the selected portion of the sample ions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting and measuring a peak value of a light pulse. One example method involves (i) receiving an analog signal comprising a pulse, (ii) differentiating the analog signal, using a differentiator, to provide a differentiated signal, (iii) detecting, using a comparator, a zero-crossing in the differentiated signal, (iv) delaying the analog signal by a delay amount, using a signal buffer, to provide a time-delayed analog signal, (v) in response to detecting the zero-crossing, causing a measurement of the time-delayed analog signal to be obtained, (vi) determining a measurement time associated with the measurement, and (vii) outputting the measurement and the measurement time. The methods and systems may be implemented for light detection and ranging (LIDAR) applications. In such applications, the measurement and measurement time may correspond to an object and a distance of the object, respectively, in an environment of a LIDAR device.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising automatically and repeatedly performing multiple cycles of operation, wherein a cycle of operation comprises the steps of: (i) mass analyzing first ions; (ii) exposing the first ions to a first photo-dissociation device to form a plurality of second ions and mass analyzing the second ions; and (iii) exposing the first ions to a first photo-dissociation device to form a plurality of second ions, fragmenting the second ions to form a plurality of third ions and mass analyzing the third ions.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed provide for methods of managing polarity switching in an ion mobility spectrometer, and provide for management of the repelling grid voltage, the gating grid voltage, and the fixed grid voltage during polarity switching. Systems and methods also provide for the management of the effect of dielectric relaxation in an insulator proximal to the collector, and provide for a preamplifier coupled to the collector including a switch, and a method of managing the collector output including the switch. Systems and methods consistent with the current disclosure further provide for a method of normalizing ion mobility data by determining fitting coefficients associated with a plurality of measurement data sets, and subtracting the curves determined by the fitting coefficients from the data acquired by the ion mobility spectrometer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a time of flight mass spectrometer can comprise an input orifice for receiving ions, a first ion accelerator stage for accelerating the ions along a first path, at least one ion reflector for receiving said accelerated ions and redirecting said ions along a second path different than the first path, a detector for detecting at least a portion of the ions redirected by said at least one ion reflector, and at least first and second field free drift regions disposed between said first acceleration stage and said detector, wherein said second field free region is disposed in proximity of the detector. In some embodiments, the lengths of the field free drift regions can be selected so as to provide 1st and 2nd order corrections of the time of flight of the ions with respect to variation in their initial positions.

Abstract: Ions with a predetermined range of ion mobilities are produced by filtering input ions with at least two consecutive ion mobility high pass and/or low pass filters. Each ion mobility filter is formed by entraining ions in a moving gas and applying a DC electric field to the ions which causes the ions to move in a direction opposite to the gas flow. An ion mobility high pass filter is formed when the DC electric field drives the ions against the flow of gas, whereas an ion mobility low pass filter is formed when a the gas flow drives entrained ions against an DC electric field barrier.

Abstract: Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of NPY 1-36 or NPY 3-36 in a sample using mass spectrometry. Importantly, by methods of the invention, both NPY 1-36 and NPY 3-36 can be quantified simultaneously, separately, and independently in a sample that contains both peptides. The methods provide enhanced specificity, and excellent sensitivity with limits of quantitation (LOQ) of about 0.1 ng/mL, and are accomplished in less time and with less sample preparation than required in other assays for NPY. In certain embodiments, because the methods of the invention are specific for both NPY 1-36 and NPY 3-36, the methods provide a major advantage over existing immunoassays. Therefore, the methods may be used to obtain reliable concentration data in several important patient populations, such as patients with hypertension, heart disease, or cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods in mass spectrometers for the generation of ions of heavy molecules, especially biomolecules, by bombarding them with uncharged clusters of molecules. The analyte ions which are generated or released by cluster bombardment of analyte substances on the surface of sample support plates show a broad distribution of their kinetic energies, which prevents good ion-optical focusing. In the invention, the kinetic energies are homogenized in a higher-density collision gas. The collision gas is preferably located in an RF ion guide, more preferably an RF ion funnel, which can transfer the ions to the mass analyzer. The collision gas may be introduced with temporal pulsing, coordinated or synchronized with the pulsed supersonic gas jet. The collision gas may be pumped off again before the next supersonic gas pulse. In an advantageous embodiment, the collision gas can originate from the supersonic gas jet itself.

Abstract: An imaging mass spectrometer comprising an energy source adapted to substantially simultaneously provide energy to multiple spots on a sample to produce ions from the sample by a desorption process; and an analyzer adapted to detect the arrival time and spot origin of ions resulting from said desorption process.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF confinement device, a beam expander and a Time of Flight mass analyzer. The beam expander is arranged to expand an ion beam emerging from the RF confinement device so that the ion beam is expanded to a diameter of at least 3 mm in the orthogonal acceleration extraction region of the Time of Flight mass analyzer.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a device which is operable in a first mode of operation to separate ions temporally according to their ion mobility by applying a continuous axial electric field. The device is also operable in a second mode of operation wherein ions are separated temporally according to their mass to charge ratio by pulsing an applied axial electric field ON and OFF.

Abstract: An anion generating and electron capture dissociation apparatus using cold electrons, which comprises a cold electron generation module configured to generate a large quantity of cold electrons from ultraviolet photons radiated into a mass spectrometer vacuum chamber which is in a high vacuum state has a plurality of ultraviolet diodes configured to emit the ultraviolet photons in the mass spectrometer vacuum chamber. Micro-channel plate (MCP) electron multiplier plates induce and amplify initial electron emissions of the ultraviolet photons from the ultraviolet diodes, and generate a large quantity of electron beams from a rear plate. An electron focusing lens is configured to focus the electron beams amplified through the MCP electron multiplier plates. A grid is configured to adjust energy and an electric current of the electron beams together with the electron focusing lens.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for portable mass spectrometry are disclosed. The apparatuses comprise at least one source of ionized analyte, at least one frequency scanning subsystem, at least one detector, and optionally at least one vacuum pump, and are portable. In some embodiments, the apparatuses comprise multiple sources of ionized analyte and/or are configured to obtain mass spectra of a large analyte, such as analyte with an m/z ratio of at least 105, or analyte with a molecular weight of at least 105 Da, as well as mass spectra of small molecule analyte. In some embodiments, the methods comprise obtaining mass spectra with a portable apparatus described above.

Abstract: A coupled nanomanipulation and nanospray mass spectrometry (NMS) system for single cell, single organelle, and ultra-trace molecular analysis is disclosed herein. The system primarily comprises a bio-workstation coupled to a NMS. The bio-workstation primarily comprises of a nanomanipulator stage with a plurality of nano-positioners attached to a cabinet with a piezo voltage source and a pressure injector. The present invention further describes a fingerprint lift method that when coupled with the system disclosed herein can be used for retrieval and analysis of trace amounts of drug and explosive residues. The system described herein has been used in the areas of trace and document analysis within the forensic field, trace fiber analysis, and electrostatic lifts for illicit drugs, as well as document and painting analysis.

Abstract: A Time of Flight mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein a fifth order spatial focusing device is provided. The device which may comprise an additional stage in the source region of the Time of Flight mass analyzer is arranged to introduce a non-zero fifth order spatial focusing term so that the combined effect of first, third and fifth order spatial focusing terms results in a reduction in the spread of ion arrival times ?T of ions arriving at the ion detector.

Abstract: A method for analyzing ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio and mass spectrometer for performing the method, comprising directing a collimated ion beam along an ion path from an ion source to an ion detector, causing a portion of the ion beam to contact one or more surfaces prior to reaching the ion detector, wherein the method comprises providing a coating on and/or heating the one or more surfaces to reduce variation in their surface patch potentials. The method is applicable to multi-reflection time-of-flight (MR TOF) mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A method of selecting ions of interest from a beam of ions using an analyzer, the method comprising: (i) providing an analyzer comprising two opposing ion mirrors each mirror comprising inner and outer field-defining electrode systems elongated along an analyzer axis z, each system comprising one or more electrodes, the outer system surrounding the inner; (ii) causing the beam of ions to fly through the analyzer along a main flight path in the presence of an analyzer field so as to undergo within the analyzer at least one full oscillation in the direction of the analyzer axis while orbiting about or oscillating between one or more electrodes of the inner field defining electrode system; (iii) providing one or more sets of electrodes adjacent the main flight path; (iv) constraining the arcuate divergence from the main flight path of ions of interest by applying one set of voltages to one or more of the sets of electrodes adjacent the main flight path when the ions of interest are in the vicinity of at least on

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an ion trap mass analyzer includes a variable- or multi-potential type ion guide (MPIG) assembly which has been pre-configured to produce a parabolic-type potential field. Each MPIG electrode has a resistive coating of designed characteristics. In one example the coating varies in thickness along the length of an underlying uniform substrate. The MPIG assembly can be a single MPIG electrode or an array of a plurality of MPIG electrodes. An array can facilitate delocalization for improved performance. This chemical modification of a uniform underlying substrate promotes cheaper and flexible instruments. The modified MPIG electrodes also allow miniaturization (e.g. micro and perhaps even nano-scale), which allows miniaturization of the instrument in which the single or plural modified MPIG electrode(s) are placed. This promotes portability and field use instead of limitation to laboratory settings.

Abstract: An orthogonal pulse accelerator for a Time-of-Flight mass analyzer includes an electrically-conductive first plate extending in a first plane, and a second plate spaced from the first plate. The second plate includes a grid that defines a plurality of apertures each having a first dimension extending in a first direction and a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension, the first and second dimensions lying in the second plane and the second dimension begin larger than the first dimension. The first and second plates are positioned in the Time-of-Flight mass analyzer to receive, during operation of the mass analyzer, an ion beam propagating in the first direction in a region between the first and second plates, and the orthogonal pulse accelerator directs ions in the ion beam through the apertures.

Abstract: An ion filter (10) for use in ion mobility spectrometry is described, together with a method for manufacturing the filter. The filter (10) is manufactured by removing portions from a monolithic structure to form a pair of electrodes which remain mechanically connected. The connecting portion (22) provides sufficient electrical impedance between the electrodes to effectively electrically separate the electrodes. The connecting portion may be doped or chemically modified to obtain a desired impedance, or this may be obtained through appropriate selection of physical dimensions.

Abstract: A method of detecting constituents in a sample includes generating a plurality of ions in an ionization region. The method also includes preventing the plurality of ions in the ionization region from flowing into a drift region through inducing a first voltage in a device positioned between the two regions. The method further includes injecting at least a portion of the ions from the ionization region into the drift region. The method also includes regulating the voltage in the device to a second voltage for a first predetermined temporal period, the second voltage less than the first voltage. The method further includes regulating the voltage in the device to the first voltage. The method also includes regulating the voltage in the device to the second voltage for a second predetermined temporal period, the second predetermined temporal period different from the first predetermined temporal period.

Abstract: An ion source and an ion guide chamber are provided. The ion guide chamber having a gas flow, the gas flow having a longitudinal velocity and a transverse velocity. The ion guide chamber having an exit aperture and at least one ion guide. The at least one ion guide having an entrance end and an exit end with an exit cross-section wherein the exit cross-section is sized to be smaller in area than the entrance cross-section. The at least one ion guide having a plurality of elongated electrodes wherein a gap between the elongated electrodes and the shape of the elongated electrodes in the vicinity of the gap are essentially the same along the length of the at least one ion guide for confining the ions in the vicinity of the gap by a combination of the transverse velocity of the gas and the RF voltage.

Abstract: A time of flight analyzer that comprises a pulsed ion source; a non-linear ion mirror having a turn-around point; and a detector. The pulsed ion source is configured to produce an ion pulse travelling along an ion flight axis, the ion pulse comprising an ion group consisting of ions of a single m/z value, the ion group having a lateral spread. The non-linear ion mirror is configured to reflect the ion group, at the turn-around point, along the ion flight axis towards the detector, the passage of the ion group through the non-linear ion mirror causing a spatial spread of the ion group. The time of flight mass analyzer has at least one lens positioned between the ion source and the ion mirror, wherein the or each lens is configured to reduce said lateral spread so as to provide a local minimum of lateral spread within the ion mirror.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry systems include an electronic controller and a time-of-flight mass analyzer in communication with the electronic controller. The time-of-flight mass analyzer includes a pulsing region defining a channel that extends along an axis. The pulsing region includes: a first electrode extending along the axis, the first electrode defining one or more apertures; a second electrode extending along the axis, the first and second electrodes being positioned on opposing sides of the axis in a first direction perpendicular to the axis. The electronic controller is programmed to apply a first set of voltages to the electrodes to constrain a motion of ions propagating along the axis in a radial direction relative to the axis, and apply a second set of voltages to the electrodes to accelerate the ions out of the pulsing region through the one or more apertures.

Abstract: A detection apparatus and method for an ion migration spectrum include acquiring an ion migration spectrum of pure carrier gas and an ion migration spectrum of carrier gas containing a test substance sample and performing differential process on the ion migration spectrum of the pure carrier gas and the ion migration spectrum of the carrier gas containing the test substance sample to acquire a differential spectrum. The value of a characteristic peak of the differential spectrum represents properties of the sample of substances. The method avoids interferences on the migration spectrum from interference sources of the apparatus itself, thereby improving detection sensitivity and accuracy of the ion migration spectrum, and migration spectrum shift caused by variations in the environmental conditions can be found and corrected through the differential process on the migration spectrum of the pure carrier gas, thereby achieving self-stableness and self-correction of the ion migration spectrometer.

Abstract: In a drift tube partitioned into a plurality of cascaded drift tube segments each followed by an ion elimination region, for any integer M greater than 1, a method of separating ions repeats the following multiple times to cause only ions entering the drift tube that have a predefined ion mobility or range to traverse the drift tube: for each integer N beginning with 1 and sequentially advancing to M, establishing for a time duration an Nth electric repulsive field in the Nth ion elimination region and in every following Mth ion elimination region and an Nth electric drift field in each remaining ion elimination region and in each drift tube segment while deactivating for the time duration all non-Nth electric drift fields and non-Nth electric repulsive fields in each of the ion elimination regions and drift tube segments.

Abstract: A closed electron impact ion source with overall opening area of less than 30 mm2 is employed for direct and pulsed extraction into a time-flight mass spectrometer in order to enhance sensitivity and immunity to chemical noise of oil and fumes of the vacuum system. For compatibility with dual stage GCxGC separation, the source may contain an inert liner surrounded by an isothermal cage of thermally conductive material. The source inner surface may be reduced to under 100 mm2. A portion of carrier gas may be pumped down before admitting the sample and carrier gas into the source. A cooled surface may be used to condense fumes at the analysis time.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an RF ion guide or ion trap and a device arranged and adapted to supply a reagent gas within the RF ion guide or ion trap. The mass spectrometer further comprises a photo-ionization device and a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to cause first ions to fragment or dissociate within the RF ion guide or ion trap to form second ions and neutral molecules; and (ii) to cause the photo-ionization device to photo-ionize and/or photo-excite the reagent gas to form reagent ions, excited species or radical species. The reagent ions, excited species or radical species interact with at least some of the neutral molecules located within the RF ion guide or ion trap to form analyte ions.

Abstract: A tandem mass spectrometer is provided in the present invention. The mass spectrometer includes an ion source, a quadrupole mass filter located at downstream side of the ion source, a linear ion trap disposed at downstream side of the mass filter and an ion detector placed on the side of the ion trap, all of which are placed in a vacuum environment. The instrument can obtain MS meeting the standard spectral library search criteria by the quadrupole mass filter cooperating with linear ion trap, realize any multi-stage MS under two modes of axial collision and resonance excitation, and predict and optimize the inflow amount and types of samples under the ion trap analysis mode by the quadrupole. A tandem MS analysis method is also provided, which can repeatedly provide precursor ion selection, ion acceleration, achieve high-energy collision dissociation, low product ion mass discrimination effect.

Abstract: A tandem mass spectrometer and method are described. Precursor ions are generated in an ion source and an ion injector injects ions towards a downstream ion guide via a single or multi reflection TOF device that separates ions into packets in accordance with their m/z. A single pass ion page in the path of the precursor ions between the ion injector and the ion guide is controlled so that (only a subset of precursor ion packets, containing precursor ions of interest, is allowed onward transmission to the ion guide. A high resolution mass spectrometer is provided for analysis of those ions, or their fragments, which have been allowed passage through the ion gate. The technique permits multiple m/z ranges to be selected from a wise mass range of precursors, with optional fragmentation of one or more of the chosen ion species.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to store an electronic record of all product ion spectra of all detectable compounds of a sample. A plurality of product ion scans are performed on a tandem mass spectrometer one or more times in a single sample analysis across a mass range using a plurality of mass selection windows. All sample product ion spectra of all detectable compounds for each mass selection window are produced. All sample product ion spectra for each mass selection window are received from the tandem mass spectrometer using a processor. All sample product ion spectra for each mass selection window are stored as an electronic record of all detectable compounds of the sample using the processor. The electronic record is used to characterize compounds known at the time the electronic record is stored or to characterize compounds that became known after the electronic record was stored.

Abstract: A multi reflection time of flight (MRTOF) mass spectrometer (12) And method for identifying a sample is disclosed. Sample ions are generated at an ion source (15). The MRTOF is a closed mirror arrangement with first and second opposed ion mirrors (20, 20?) on an axis of reflection (XX?). The MRTOF (12) also includes a bidirectional ion deflector (50) on that axis (XX?). The deflector (50) deflects ions onto the reflection axis as a short pulse at time to <zero> where they oscillate multiple times, separating in time of flight according to ion m/z. At a later time t, ions travelling in both directions along the axis (XX?) are ejected out of the MRTOF (12) by the bidirectional deflector (50) to an ion detector arrangement (55). The separation of ions in time of flight allows a “fingerprint” of a biological sample to be produced by the detector arrangement (55) without the need to assign a mass to each peak. Comparison with a library of fingerprints permits identification.

Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ion detector system for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion detector comprising an array of detector elements. The ion detector system is arranged to correct for tilt and non-linear aberrations in an isochronous plane of ions. The ion detector system generates separate first mass spectral data sets for each detector element and then applies a calibration coefficient to each of the first mass spectral data sets to produce a plurality of second calibrated mass spectral data sets. The plurality of second calibrated mass spectral data sets are then combined to form a composite mass spectral data set.

Abstract: A mass analyzer for use in a mass spectrometer. The mass analyzer has a set of electrodes including electrodes arranged to form at least one electrostatic sector, the set of electrodes being spatially arranged to be capable of providing an electrostatic field in a reference plane suitable for guiding ions along a closed orbit in the reference plane, wherein the set of electrodes extend along a drift path that is locally orthogonal to the reference plane and that curves around a reference axis so that, in use, the set of electrodes provide a 3D electrostatic field region. The mass analyzer is configured so that, in use, the 3D electrostatic field region provided by the set of electrodes guides ions having different initial coordinates and velocities along a single predetermined 3D reference trajectory that curves around the reference axis.

Abstract: Selective ionization at atmospheric or near atmospheric pressure of a sample diluted in air is provided in multiple steps. Initially, components of air and/or other gas are ionized to generate reactive ions. The reactive ions are then filtered using a high frequency filter to yield selected reactive ions. Thereafter, the selected reactive ions are reacted with sample molecules of a sample being analyzed in a charge transfer process. Depending on the properties of the sample molecules, the filter may select some reactive ions to enter the sample zone and block others entirely thus controlling ion chemistry and charge transfer yields in the sample zone. The described system is directed to controlling ions at the ion source level, using a high frequency filter technique, in connection with subsequent analysis. The method generates the ions of choice for subsequent analysis in such platforms as ion mobility and differential mobility spectrometers.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a spectroscopy device comprises a preheater, an ionizer, and a differential ion mobility spectroscopy (DMS) analyzer. The preheater is disposed to heat inlet air to 150° C. or more. The ionizer is disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet air from the preheater. The differential ion mobility spectroscopy (DMS) analyzer has a reception element configured to detect ionized chemical agents in the inlet air. In a second embodiment, a spectroscopy device comprises a DMS detector and a controller. The DMS detector comprises an ionizer disposed to receive and ionize inlet air at 150° C. or more, and an analyzer disposed to selectively receive ions from the ionizer under varying radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage. The controller is configured to flag at least one chemical agent as present in the inlet air upon reception of negatively charged ions by the analyzer under corresponding values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage.

Abstract: A micro-reflectron for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer including a substrate and integrated with the volume of the substrate, means for application of a potential gradient in a volume suitable for constituting a flight zone of the ions. The means of application includes at least two polarization electrodes and a wall of at least one resistive material that can be polarized between these electrodes so as to generate a continuous potential gradient, itself providing the function of reflectron, this flight zone, these electrodes and this wall being obtained by the technology of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and this micro-reflectron having a thickness of less than 5 millimetres while its other dimensions are less than 10 times this thickness.

Abstract: A portable container is provided which comprises a passing room(s) allowing entry into a second area into a first area, the passing room having at least two openings with a walkway in-between. Barrier device(s) can be located in the walkway but not connected to the first or second opening. A control room(s) can also be provided, the control room being connected to the passing room(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of mass spectrometry, an apparatus adapted to perform the method and a mass spectrometer. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method of mass spectrometry comprising the step of associating parent and fragmentation ions from a sample by measuring the parent and fragmentation ions from two or more different areas of the sample and identifying changes in the number of parent ions between the areas in the sample, and corresponding changes in the number of fragmentation ions between the two areas.