Abstract: An object is to measure both cations and anions with high duty cycle. In a mass spectrometer comprising an ion source (1), an ion guide part (31), and an ion trap (32), while ions are being mass-selectively ejected from the ion trap, ions having a polarity reverse to that of the ions trapped in the ion trap are introduced into the ion guide part.

Abstract: LC/MS data generated by an LC/MS system is analyzed to determine groupings of ions associated with originating molecules. Ions are grouped initially according to retention time, for example, using retention time or chromatographic peaks in mass chromatograms. After initial groupings are determined based on retention time, ion peak shapes are compared to determine whether ions should be excluded. Ions having peak shapes not matching other ions, or alternatively a reference peak shape, are excluded from the group.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel radiation associated markers. The radiation associated markers may be one or more of albumin, LTGF-?, or any protein or peptide listed in any one of Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 provided herein. The present invention also provides methods of assessing exposure to ionizing radiation by determining the presence of one or more radiation associated markers. The methods may optionally include quantifying one or more of the radiation associated markers. The methods may further include comparing the amount of one or more radiation associated markers in the sample determined to be present in the sample with either (i) the amount determined for temporally matched, normal samples or (ii) the amount determined for samples obtained from individuals or subjects that have not been exposed to an elevated level of ionizing radiation.

Abstract: Described is an analytical method and apparatus for counting and measuring the flight time of secondary electrons, secondary ions and neutrals, scattered ions and/or neutrals and for correlating coincidences between these while maintaining a continuous un-pulsed, micro-focused, primary particle beam for impinging a surface for purposes of microprobe imaging and microanalysis.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating mass-to-charge ratio measurements obtained from a time-of-flight mass spectrometer used as a detector for a chromatographic system. The method can include introducing a calibrant material into the time-of-flight mass spectrometer after a sample is introduced to the chromatographic system, but before the analysis of the sample is complete, such that calibrant material and sample material are not present at the ion source of the mass spectrometer, contemporaneously. The method can include acquiring a multiplicity of mass spectra of the calibrant material during an analytical run, and in some embodiments, calculating a multiplicity of mass calibrations on the basis of mass spectra obtained from the calibrant material introduced during the analytical run.

Abstract: An ion detector for a Time of Flight mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a single Microchannel Plate which is arranged to receive ions and output electrons. The electrons are directed onto an array of photodiodes which directly detects the electrons. The output from each photodiode is connected to a separate Time to Digital Converter provided on an ASIC.

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 method for analysing 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: In order to solve a problem in a mass spectrometry that a distribution of an emitted ion and a substance distribution on the measurement object surface are different from each other, which is due to a shaded portion of a irregular surface which falls under a shadow of primary beam, a primary ion optical system of the present apparatus includes a deflection unit configured to deflect the primary ion in such a manner that the primary ion intersects a flight space of the secondary ion in the course of flight.

Abstract: Time-to-digital converters adapted to analog and digital inputs and methods of use are described. A time-to-digital converter has an event frame latches and logic module with memory cells, an analog front-end module connected to the memory cells, and a bin increment generator module connected to the memory cells. The bin increment generator is configured to issue bin increments separated by a time increment, and the analog front end is configured to issue a start event followed by a plurality of stop events. Upon receipt of a first time increment following a start event, the event frame latches and logic module updates a first memory cell with a first bit-type; upon receipt of a second time increment following an intervening stop event, the event frame latches and logic module updates a second memory cell with a second bit-type different from the first bit-type.

Abstract: A thin metal plate and two prismatic-bar-shaped metal members that are parallel to each other are alternately and repeatedly stacked, and the stack is sandwiched between two thick metal plates. Each contact surface is bonded to the counterpart surface by diffusion bonding to form an integrated multilayer body. The multilayer body is cut at predetermined intervals at planes perpendicular to the thin metal plates, whereby a grid-like electrode is completed, with the thin metal plates serving as crosspieces and the metal members serving as spacers for defining a gap which serves as openings.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for transferring ions for analysis. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample including an ionizing source for converting molecules of a sample into gas phase ions in a region at about atmospheric pressure, an ion analysis device, and an ion transfer member operably coupled to a gas flow generating device, in which the gas flow generating device produces a laminar gas flow that transfers the gas phase ions through the ion transfer member to an inlet of the ion analysis device.

Abstract: A method of determining the mass-to-charge ratios of ions in a sample is disclosed. The method includes determining a data acquisition time, where the data acquisition time is a predetermined fraction of the greatest time of flight. The method also includes providing ions from a continuous beam of a sample to a time-of-flight mass analyzer at pulse intervals having a duration equal to the predetermined fraction of the greatest flight time. The method also includes measuring a peak width and a flight time value for each of the ion species in the sample after summing the data acquired during several pulse intervals and correcting the measured flight time values according to a correlation of measured peak width values with calibration data of peak width versus flight time.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a quadrupole rod set ion trap wherein a potential field is created at the exit of the ion trap which decreases with increasing radius in one radial direction. Ions within the ion trap are mass selectively excited in a radial direction. Ions which have been excited in the radial direction experience a potential field which no longer confines the ions axially within the ion trap but which instead acts to extract the ions and hence causes the ions to be ejected axially from the ion trap.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with methods and apparatuses for generating mass spectrum data using a mass spectrometer by subtracting noise mass spectrum data representative of noise in the mass spectrometer from signal mass spectrum data representative of the mass/charge ratio of ions in a sample material. This produces a modified signal mass spectrum data representative of the mass/charge ratio of ions in the sample material. The method includes acquiring and subtracting noise mass spectrum data representative of noise in the mass spectrometer or alternatively subtracting noise mass spectrum data from a previously acquired or pre-stored noise spectrum data. Embodiments demonstrate reduced noise and in particular reduced systematic noise compared with the originally acquired signal mass spectrum data.

Abstract: A method is used in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for analysis of a first pulsed ion beam, the ions of which are disposed along the pulse direction, separated with respect to their ion masses. The ions of at least one individual predetermined ion mass or of at least one predetermined range of ion masses can be decoupled from the first pulsed ion beam, as at least one decoupled ion beam, and the first ion beam and the at least one decoupled ion beam are analyzed.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample is disclosed comprising transmitting a first population of ions through a mass spectrometer and switching a state or mode of the mass spectrometer to produce a second population of ions. A sequential stream of mass spectra is acquired asynchronously with respect to switching the state or mode of the mass spectrometer. The stream of mass spectral data is then post-processed to produce mass spectra corresponding predominantly to the first and second population of ions.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an Electron Transfer Dissociation cell. Positive analyte ions are fragmented into fragment ions upon colliding with singly charged negative reagent ions with the cell. The cell comprises a plurality of ring electrodes which form a spherical trapping volume. Ions experience negligible RF heating over the majority of the trapping volume which enables the kinetic energy of the analyte and reagent ions to be reduced to just above thermal temperatures. An Electron Transfer Dissociation cell having an enhanced sensitivity is thereby provided. Fragment ions created within the cell may be cooled and may be transmitted onwardly to an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser enabling a significant improvement in the resolution of the mass analyser to be obtained.

Abstract: A system and method for mass spectrometry including a curtain gas chamber defined by a curtain plate having an aperture for receiving ions from an ion source and an orifice plate having an inlet into a mass spectrometer. At least one barrier separates the curtain chamber into a first curtain gas chamber region and a second curtain gas chamber region. At least one gas source provides a gas inflow into the second curtain gas chamber region and a gas outflow into the first curtain gas chamber region, a portion of the gas outflow directed out of the aperture. A heating element heats the gas inflow, a portion of the heated gas inflow directed into the inlet of the mass spectrometer wherein the portion of the heated gas inflow can be at a substantially higher temperature than the portion of the gas outflow.

Abstract: Presented is a mass spectrometer comprising an ion path along which ions are transported between different sections of the mass spectrometer, and further comprising an arrangement with a receptacle being located along the ion path in the mass spectrometer and a complementary mount for carrying a removable ion-optical assembly, such as a carrier of electrodes for a MALDI ion source, wherein the mount can be removed from and reinserted into the receptacle in a plane approximately perpendicular to an ion path axis.

Abstract: A system including a first apparatus including a first processor, a first storage device, and a first communication interface and a second apparatus including a second processor and a second communication interface is provided. The first processor measures traffic of data communicated via a predetermined communication path in each of a plurality of time ranges, stores the data communicated in each of the plurality of time ranges in the first storage device, and performs a control processing to cause the first communication interface to transmit the measured data traffic to the second apparatus, and when the second processor receives the measured data, the second processor performs control processing to cause the second communication interface to transmit to the first apparatus designation information designating one of the plurality of time ranges in which protection target data not to be deleted from the first storage device has been communicated.

Abstract: An embodiment with a dual-stage reflectron is as follows: (1) On the assumption that a reflector has a base potential XA(U) created by uniform electric fields, its design parameters are adjusted so as to cancel the first and second order derivatives at energy E=E0 of a total time of flight T(E), and a second-order focusing position on a central axis at which the potential value becomes zero is determined (Mamyrin solution). (2) A correcting potential XC(U) to be superposed on XA(U), beginning from the second-order focusing position, is calculated so that T(E) of ions reflected in a region deeper than the second-order focusing position will be constant. (3) Voltage values of the reflector electrodes are determined so that a real potential XR(U)=XA(U)+XC(U) is created on the central axis.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a time-of-flight based mass microscope system for an ultra-high speed multi-mode mass analysis, for using a laser beam or an ion beam simultaneously to enable both a low molecular weight analysis such as for drugs/metabolome/lipids/peptides and a high molecular weight analysis such as for genes/proteins, without being limited by the molecular weight of the object being analyzed, and for significantly increasing the measuring speed by using a microscope method instead of a microprobe method.

Abstract: A discharge ionization current detector using a low-frequency barrier discharge is provided to improve the linearity of detection sensitivity with respect to a sample introduction amount. From a lower end of a lower gas passage connected to a lower end of an upper gas passage, a dilution gas is supplied upward against a downward flow of a plasma gas. A gas discharge passage for discharging a plasma gas, the dilution gas and a sample gas is arranged between an ion-collecting electrode and a bias voltage application electrode. The sample gas introduced through a capillary tube is mixed with the plasma gas and the dilution gas due to a disturbed flow generated by collision of the plasma gas and the dilution gas. The sample component is efficiently ionized by light from the plasma without undergoing light-shielding effect of concentrated sample components.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a time-of-flight based mass microscope system for an ultra-high speed multi-mode mass analysis, for using a laser beam or an ion beam simultaneously to enable both a low molecular weight analysis such as for drugs/metabolome/lipids/peptides and a high molecular weight analysis such as for genes/proteins, without being limited by the molecular weight of the object being analyzed, and for significantly increasing the measuring speed by using a microscope method instead of a microprobe method.

Abstract: A tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometer is offered which can perform MS/MS measurements efficiently without sample wastage by ingeniously combining flight time ranges required by precursor ions with measurement times actually taken to measure the precursor ions. The mass spectrometer has an array input means for causing the flight time ranges required by selected precursor ions and the actually taken measurement times in which the precursor ions are measured to be appropriately arrayed in a time-sequential manner such that the flight time ranges and measurement times do not overlap each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrospray ionization source that provides improved temperature control compared to prior sources. A combination of a continuous flow sample design and the use of a long heat shield combine to improve thermal control and reduce memory effects observed with prior designs. The temperature-controlled source is particularly useful for the study of biomolecules, particularly the study of protein aggregation.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a holder that holds a sample, an irradiation unit that irradiates a surface of the sample with primary ions, an extractor electrode that opposes the sample, and an ion detector that detects a secondary ion emitted from the surface of the sample in accordance with a time of flight of the secondary ion. The surface of the sample has first and second positions, and the irradiation unit and the holder are disposed so that the primary ions are obliquely incident upon the surface of the sample. A primary ion reaches the first position before another primary ion reaches the second position. A potential gradient generator generates a potential gradient so that a potential difference between the second position and the extractor electrode is larger than a potential difference between the first position and the extractor electrode.

Abstract: A method of processing mass spectral data is disclosed comprising digitising a first signal output from an ion detector to produce a first digitised signal. A first set of peaks in the first digitised signal is detected and the arrival time To and peak area So of one or more peaks in the first set of peaks are determined thereby forming a first list of data pairs, each data pair comprising an arrival time value and a peak area value. One or more data pairs from the first list are then filtered out thereby forming a second reduced list, wherein a data pair is filtered out, attenuated or otherwise rejected from the first list if the peak area value of a data pair in the first list is determined to be less than a threshold peak area.

Abstract: An imaging mass spectrometer capable of reducing the dependence of the resolution of a projection image on mass is offered. Also, a method of controlling this spectrometer is offered. The imaging mass spectrometer includes: a plate on which a sample is placed; a lens system through which ions generated by irradiating the sample with laser light pass; an ion optical system for separating the ions according to flight time corresponding to mass-to-charge ratio; a detection system for measuring arrival positions and flight times of the ions passed through the ion optical system and generating an image of the sample when it is ionized; and a voltage control portion for sweeping the voltage applied to an electrode included in the lens system such that the lens effect of the lens system increases with time during a given period synchronized with the laser irradiation.

Abstract: A DMS-IMS chemical sensing system employs two ion-separation technologies in tandem to extract signals of specific chemicals from the glut of signals present. The sensing system generally includes an atmospheric pressure ion generation system, a Differential Mobility (DMS) system, a time-of-flight IMS (TOF-IMS) system, and an ion detector system. The DMS extracts a narrow range of trace chemicals from an environmental sample for subsequent analysis, and a TOF-IMS then analyzes the resulting narrow range of isolated chemicals, allowing compound-specific detection thresholds at sub-ppb concentrations.

Abstract: In performing an isolation of specific ions or performing a dissociation operation by CID, ions are captured by applying a radio-frequency high voltage to a ring electrode 31 as before. In a cooling operation which is performed immediately before target ions are ejected toward a TOFMS unit 4 with the ions stored in an ion trap 3, a radio-frequency high voltage is not applied to the ring electrode 31 but to end cap electrodes 32 and 34 to capture the ions. In this operation, the frequency thereof is set to be higher than that of the voltage applied to the ring electrode 31 and the amplitude is also increased in order to assure a large pseudopotential and keep the low mass cutoff (LMC). This narrows the spatial distribution of the cooled ions, reducing the variation of the initial positions of the ions at the point in time when they are ejected, which increases the mass resolution.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer has an ion transport region and a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer. The ion transport region includes a collision cell (ion storage region), a steady potential region, and a variable potential region such that the difference in potential between the steady potential region and the variable potential region when ions passed through the steady potential region enter the steady potential region increases with increasing mass-to-charge ratio of ions. The mass analyzer causes the ions transported via the transport region to be accelerated along another optical axis at a given acceleration timing and guides the ions toward a detector.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein an ion signal is split into a first and second signal. The first and second signals are multiplied by different gains and are digitised. Arrival time and intensity pairs are calculated for both digitised signals and the resulting time and intensity pairs are combined to form a high dynamic range spectrum. The spectrum is then combined with other corresponding spectra to form a summed spectrum.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a time of flight mass analyser. The time of flight mass analyser comprises an ion guide comprising a plurality of electrodes which are interconnected by a series of resistors forming a potential divider. Ions are confined radially within the ion guide by the application of a two-phase RF voltage to the electrodes. A single phase additional RF voltage is applied across the potential divider so that an inhomogeneous pseudo-potential force is maintained along the length of the ion guide.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for desorption and ionization of analytes for the purpose of subsequent scientific analysis by such methods, for example, as mass spectrometry or biosensors. More specifically, this invention relates to the field of mass spectrometry, especially to the type of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometry used to analyze macromolecules, such as proteins or biomolecules. Most specifically, this invention relates to the sample probe geometry, sample probe composition, and sample probe surface chemistries that enable the selective capture and desorption of analytes, including intact macromolecules, directly from the probe surface into the gas (vapor) phase without added chemical matrix.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer or separator and an ion guide arranged downstream of the ion mobility spectrometer or separator. A plurality of axial potential wells are created in the ion guide so that ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator become confined in separate axial potential wells. The potential wells maintain the fidelity and/or composition of ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator. The potential wells are translated along the length of the ion guide.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed wherein a signal output from an ion detector is digitized by an Analogue to Digital Converter and is then deconvoluted to determine one or more ion arrival times and one more ion arrival intensities. The process of deconvoluting the ion signal involves determining a point spread function characteristic of an ion arriving at and being detected by the ion detector. A distribution of ion arrival times which produces a best fit to the digitised signal is then determined given that each ion arrival is assumed to produce a response given by the point spread function. A plurality of ion arrival times are then combined to produce a composite ion arrival time-intensity spectrum.

Abstract: After an analysis condition table for measuring each compound is automatically generated in accordance with a compound table, the loop time is calculated for each measurement section for which the overlapping of measurement events differs. If the loop time exceeds a specified value in a given measurement section of a given compound, the event with the earliest end time and the event with the latest start time are extracted from among the overlapping measurement events, and the intermediate time between the end time and the start time is found to adjust the length of each measurement event. By repeating this process, a parameter in the analysis condition table is corrected so that the loop time becomes equal to or less than the specified value.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and method of mass spectrometry wherein charged particles in a beam undergo multiple changes of direction. A detection arrangement detects a first portion of the charged particle beam, and provides a first output based upon the intensity of the detected first portion of the charged particle beam. The detection arrangement detects a second portion of the charged particle beam that has traveled a greater path length through the mass spectrometer than the first portion of the charged particle beam, and provides a second output based upon the detected second portion of the charged particle beam. A controller adjusts the parameters of the charged particle beam and/or the detection arrangement, based upon the first output of the detection arrangement, so as to adjust the second output of the detection arrangement.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a sample plate that supports a sample for analysis. A pulsed ion source generates a pulse of ions from the sample positioned on the sample plate. An ion accelerator receives the pulse of ions generated by the pulsed ion source and accelerates the ions. An ion detector includes an input in a flight path of the accelerated ions emerging from the field-free drift space and an output that is electrically connected to the sample plate. The ion detector converts the detected ions into a pulse of electrons.

Abstract: A method of determining the mass-to-charge ratios of ions in a sample is disclosed. The method includes determining a data acquisition time, where the data acquisition time is a predetermined fraction of the greatest time of flight. The method also includes providing ions from a continuous beam of a sample to a time-of-flight mass analyzer at pulse intervals having a duration equal to the predetermined fraction of the greatest flight time. The method also includes measuring a peak width and a flight time value for each of the ion species in the sample after summing the data acquired during several pulse intervals and correcting the measured flight time values according to a correlation of measured peak width values with calibration data of peak width versus flight time.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass selector includes a first ion lens for converging ions, a flight tube into which ions which enter from the first ion lens are introduced, the flight tube having equipotential space therein, a second ion lens for converging ions having passed through the flight tube, and a chopper for a gate for pulsing the ions converged by the second ion lens.

Abstract: A method is provided for acquiring and interpreting data using a mass spectrometer, said method comprising: (a) generating a multiplexed mass spectrum using the mass spectrometer system, the multiplexed mass spectrum comprising a superposition of a plurality of product-ion mass spectra comprising a plurality of product-ion types having respective product-ion mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios, each product-ion mass spectrum corresponding to fragmentation of a respective precursor-ion type formed by ionization of a chemical compound, each precursor-ion type having a respective precursor-ion mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio and (b) recognizing a set comprising a precursor-ion type and one or more product-ion types corresponding to each of one or more of the product-ion mass spectra by recognizing one or more losses of a respective valid neutral molecule from each said precursor-ion type.

Abstract: A Time of Flight Acquisition system is disclosed wherein a digitiser (6) is used to digitise an acceleration pulse (2) which is applied to an acceleration electrode of a Time of Flight mass analyzer. The digitiser (6) is then switched to digitise an ion arrival signal which is output from an ion detector (5).

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first storage ion trap arranged upstream of a high performance analytical ion trap. According to an embodiment ions are simultaneously scanned from both the first and second ion trap. At any instant in time the quantity of charge present within the second ion trap is limited or restricted so that the second ion trap does not suffer from space charge saturation effects and hence the performance of the second ion trap is not degraded.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for acquiring spectrometric data from analyte ions implement transient-level data acquisition and peak correction in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Transient spectra including analyte peaks and reference mass peaks are recorded, from which a set of averaged peak centroids of the reference masses is generated. The peaks of reference masses in each transient spectrum are compared to the averaged peak centroids. From this comparison, an appropriate correction function is applied to each transient spectrum to correct the positions of the analyte peaks in each transient spectrum. The corrected transient spectra are then summed to obtain a corrected averaged spectrum.

Abstract: A system including a first apparatus including a first processor, a first storage device, and a first communication interface and a second apparatus including a second processor and a second communication interface is provided. The first processor measures traffic of data communicated via a predetermined communication path in each of a plurality of time ranges, stores the data communicated in each of the plurality of time ranges in the first storage device, and performs a control processing to cause the first communication interface to transmit the measured data traffic to the second apparatus, and when the second processor receives the measured data, the second processor performs control processing to cause the second communication interface to transmit to the first apparatus designation information designating one of the plurality of time ranges in which protection target data not to be deleted from the first storage device has been communicated.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF confinement device, a beam expander and a Time of Flight mass analyser. 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 analyser.

Abstract: An electrostatic trap such as an orbitrap is disclosed, with an electrode structure. An electrostatic trapping field of the form U? (r, ?, z) is generated to trap ions within the trap so that they undergo isochronous oscillations. The trapping field U?(r, ?, z) is the result of a perturbation W to an ideal field U(r, ?, z) which, for example, is hypologarithmic in the case of an orbitrap. The perturbation W may be introduced in various ways, such as by distorting the geometry of the trap so that it no longer follows an equipotential of the ideal field U(r, ?, z), or by adding a distortion field (either electric or magnetic). The magnitude of the perturbation is such that at least some of the trapped ions have an absolute phase spread of more than zero but less than 2 ? radians over an ion detection period Tm.