Abstract: An electrode for a resistance analytical furnace has a central opening including a crucible-engaging surface and an annular flange spaced from the crucible-engaging surface. The flange has a lower surface with a plurality of grooves formed therein. The grooves are curved and extend from the central opening of the edge of the flange.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method of mass spectrometric analysis that includes producing either glow discharge within a noble gas between 3-100 mBar pressure, sampling and conditioning glow discharge products within a gas flow through a conductive channel, removing charged particles while transferring excited Ridberg atoms, and mixing conditioned discharge products with analyte flow within an enclosed chamber at elevated temperatures above 150° Celsius for producing a Penning reaction between analyte molecules and Ridberg atoms. The method further includes sampling, by a gas flow, said analyte ions for mass spectrometric analysis, and at least one of the following steps: (i) removing charge within said conditioning channel; (ii) coaxially mixing of analyte flow with the flow of conditioned plasma; and (iii) cooling of the mixed flow within a sonic or supersonic jet for reducing the region of Penning ionization to cold jet.

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: 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: 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 method of targeted mass spectrometric analysis is provided for analyzing trace compounds at sub-ppb level compared to sample matrix. Sample is chromatographically separated at standard conditions to employ a map of target mass (M) versus retention time (RT). Small mass ions under M(RT) are rejected by RF field, and remaining ions are accumulated for pulsed injection into a multi-reflecting TOF MS, either directly from EI source, or from linear RF trap or via a heated RF only quadrupole with axial ion trapping. In combination with EI source the method provides sub femtogram sensitivity at matrices loads in microgram range.

Abstract: Method and embodiments are provided for tandem mass spectrometer designed for extremely large charge throughput up to 1E+10ion/sec. In one operation mode, the initial ion flow with wide m/z range is time separated in a trap array. The array ejects ions with a narrower momentarily m/z range. Ion flow is collected and confined in a wide bore ion channel at a limited time spread. The ion flow with narrow m/z range is then analyzed in a multi-reflecting TOF at frequent and time-encoded operation of the orthogonal accelerator, thus forming multiple non overlapping spectral segments. In another mode, time separated ions are subjected to fragmentation for comprehensive, all-mass MS-MS analysis. The momentarily ion flow at MR-TOF entrance is characterized by lower spectral population which allows efficient decoding of overlapping spectra. Those modes are combined with conventional spectrometer operation to improve the dynamic range.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and algorithms are disclosed for operating an open electrostatic trap (E-trap) or a multi-pass TOF mass spectrometer with an extended flight path. A string of start pulses with non equal time intervals is employed for triggering ion packet injection into the analyzer, a long spectrum is acquired to accept ions from the entire string and a true spectrum is reconstructed by eliminating or accounting overlapping signals at the data analysis stage while using logical analysis of peak groups. The method is particularly useful for tandem mass spectrometry wherein spectra are sparse. The method improves the duty cycle, the dynamic range and the space charge throughput of the analyzer and of the detector, so as the response time of the E-trap analyzer. It allows flight extension without degrading E-trap sensitivity.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for time-of-flight mass spectrometry providing effective pulsed conversion of continuous ion beams into pulsed ion packets is disclosed. Bunching of energetic continuous ion beams forms ion packets, which are filtered by a subsequent isochronous energy filter. The bunching method is particularly suitable for ion sources with relatively large spatial emittance, otherwise unable to fir the acceptance of orthogonal accelerators. The method is particularly suitable for multi-reflecting TOF MS, which accommodates small size ion packets and where the duty cycle advantage of orthogonal accelerators is minor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving resolution and duty-cycle of a multi-reflecting TOF mass spectrometer (MR-TOF) by arranging a cylindrical analyzer having an appropriate radial deflection means, means for limiting ion divergence in the tangential direction and a pulsed source providing ion packet divergence of less than 1 mm*deg. There are disclosed embodiments for fifth-order focusing cylindrical ion minors. Separate embodiments provide parallel tandem MS-MS within a single cylindrical MR-TOF.

Abstract: Method and embodiments are provided for tandem mass spectrometer designed for extremely large charge throughput up to 1E+10 ion/sec. In one operation mode, the initial ion flow with wide m/z range is time separated in a trap array. The array ejects ions with a narrower momentarily m/z range. Ion flow is collected and confined in a wide bore ion channel at a limited time spread. The ion flow with narrow m/z range is then analyzed in a multi-reflecting TOF at frequent and time-encoded operation of the orthogonal accelerator, thus forming multiple non overlapping spectral segments. In another mode, time separated ions are subjected to fragmentation for comprehensive, all-mass MS-MS analysis. The momentarily ion flow at MR-TOF entrance is characterized by lower spectral population which allows efficient decoding of overlapping spectra. Those modes are combined with conventional spectrometer operation to improve the dynamic range.

Abstract: A combustion tube mounting system releasably mounts a combustion tube to an aperture in the floor of a furnace housing. The combustion tube has a base assembly with a cam and can be manually or automatically unlocked by cam pins in the floor for selectively engaging the cam for lowering the combustion tube from the floor of the furnace. When a new combustion tube is placed on the lower seal assembly and raised, it automatically aligns and engages the upper furnace seal and engages cams on the floor of the furnace housing which lock the combustion tube in place as it is introduced into the furnace.

Abstract: A combustion tube mounting system releasably mounts a combustion tube to an aperture in the floor of a furnace housing. The combustion tube has a base assembly with a cam and can be manually or automatically unlocked by cam pins in the floor for selectively engaging the cam for lowering the combustion tube from the floor of the furnace. When a new combustion tube is placed on the lower seal assembly and raised, it automatically aligns and engages the upper furnace seal and engages cams on the floor of the furnace housing which lock the combustion tube in place as it is introduced into the furnace.

Abstract: To improve spatial and energy acceptance of multi-reflecting time-of-flight, open traps, and electrostatic trap analyzers, a novel ion mirror is disclosed. Incorporation of immersion lens between ion mirrors allows reaching the fifth order time per energy focusing simultaneously with the third order time per spatial focusing including energy-spatial cross terms. Preferably the analyzer has hollow cylindrical geometry for extended flight path. The time-of-flight analyzer preferably incorporates spatially modulated ion mirror field for isochronous ion focusing in the tangential direction.

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: 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: 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 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.