Abstract: An ion mirror 41 constructed of thin electrodes that are interconnected by resistive dividers 45 with potentials U1-U5 applied to knot electrodes to form segments 41-43 of linear potential distribution between the “knot” electrodes, yet without separating those field regions by meshes. Weak and controlled penetration of electric fields provide for a fine control over the field non linearity and over the equipotential line curvature, thus allowing to reach unprecedented level of ion optical quality: more than twice larger energy acceptance compared to thick electrode mirrors, up to sixth order time per energy focusing, ion spatial focusing and wide spatial acceptance. Novel mirrors can be formed very slim to arrange them into stacks for ion transverse displacement between ion reflections or for multiplexed mirror stacks. Printed circuit boards (PCB) are best suited for making novel ion mirrors, while novel ion mirrors are designed to suit PCB requirements.

Abstract: Elongation of orthogonal accelerators is assisted by ion spatial transverse confinement within novel confinement means, formed by spatial alternation of electrostatic quadrupolar field (22). Contrary to prior art RF confinement means, the static means provide mass independent confinement and may be readily switched. Spatial confinement defines ion beam (29) position, prevents surfaces charging, assists forming wedge and bend fields, and allows axial fields in the region of pulsed ion extraction, this way improving the ion beam admission at higher energies and the spatial focusing of ion packets in multi-reflecting, multi-turn and singly reflecting TOF MS or electrostatic traps.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an analyte; supplying a matrix compound to said analyte such that said analyte dissolves in said matrix; forming first droplets of the dissolved analyte; and colliding said first droplets with a collision surface. The use of matrix improves the analyte ion signal.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes a control system arranged to assess an operational state of the mass spectrometer. When a fault is detected, the control system assigns the fault to one of a plurality of categories, including a first category of faults which may be attempted to be rectified automatically by the mass spectrometer, a second category of faults which may be attempted to be rectified by the user, and a third category of faults which may only be attempted to be rectified by a service engineer. When a fault is assigned to the first category of faults, the control system initiates an attempt to automatically rectify the fault. When a fault is assigned to the second category of faults, the control system causes information relating to the fault to be displayed to the user, including data indicative of the fault and data one or more steps to be taken by the user to attempt to rectify the fault (2000).

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: performing a plurality of cycles of operation during a single experimental run, wherein each cycle comprises: mass selectively transmitting precursor ions of a single mass, or range of masses, through or out of a mass separator or mass filter at any given time, wherein the mass separator or mass filter is operated such that the single mass or range of masses transmitted therefrom is varied with time; and mass analysing ions.

Abstract: An impact ionisation spray or electrospray ionisation ion source comprising a nebuliser (30) having a first conduit (11) for providing a liquid sample and a second conduit (10) for providing a nebulisation gas in order to nebulise the liquid sample is disclosed. The first conduit (11) and second conduit (10) are of unitary construction with each other and may be made from glass. The ion source can provide a consistent and/or predictable spray profile for the nebulised sample.

Abstract: A lens assembly for an outer source of a mass spectrometer, the assembly comprising: a housing; a plurality of lens elements, each lens element comprising a radially extending electrically conductive protrusion, the lens elements being linearly arranged in the housing such that the protrusions are aligned with one another; and an interface connector having a plurality of sockets to receive the protrusions therein and create an electrical connection between the protrusions and sockets. A housing for a resistance temperature detector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive unit for driving an acceleration electrode of amass spectrometer is disclosed. The drive unit includes a power converter comprising a switching element and pulsing circuitry that can form output pulses suitable for driving an acceleration electrode of amass spectrometer. The drive unit also includes a controller that is configured to synchronise operation of the switching element with the pulsing circuitry.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising: a vacuum chamber; and an ion inlet assembly for transmitting analyte ions into the vacuum chamber; wherein the spectrometer is configured to operate in a cooling mode in which it selectively controls one or more gas flow to the ion inlet assembly for actively cooling the ion inlet assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for a mass spectrometer, comprising a housing (106) and a Time of Flight analyser (110), wherein the housing (106) is configured to enclose at least the Time of Flight analyser (110), and the Time of Flight analyser comprises a pusher assembly (120) and a flight tube (160), wherein the Time of Flight mass analyser (110) is cantilevered from the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are proposed for the strong improvement of dynamic range (DR) of detectors and of data systems for time-of-flight mass spectrometers (TOF MS) with periodically repetitive signals. TOF separated ions are converted into secondary particles, primarily electrons, and the flow of secondary particles is controllably attenuated to sustain the data acquisition system in a counting mode above the electronic noise threshold. The acquisition time is split between at least two time segments, characterized by alternated transmission efficiency SE of secondary particles. Using strong electron suppression (SE«1) is employed for recording intense ion peak, while counting ions with either ADC, or TDC, or ADC with extracting peak centroids. A longer time segment employs an efficient electron transfer (SE=1) for detecting weak ion species.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising: a vacuum housing comprising a first vacuum chamber having a first gas exhaust port; a gas pump (1700) having a first gas inlet port connected to the first gas exhaust port (H1) by a first gas conduit for evacuating the first vacuum chamber; and a first apertured cover (2010) arranged over the first gas exhaust port (H1) or first gas inlet port, or in the first gas conduit therebetween.

Abstract: A Time of Flight analyser comprising a flight tube (160) and a reflectron (170), wherein the reflectron comprises a stack of electrodes (172) that are compressed against the flight tube such that they remain parallel to each other under compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing ambient ionisation mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially cylindrical, tubular, rod-shaped, coil-shaped, helical or spiral-shaped collision assembly; and a first device arranged and adapted to direct analyte, smoke, fumes, liquid, gas, surgical smoke, aerosol or vapour onto said collision assembly.

Abstract: A multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer MR TOF with an orthogonal accelerator (40) is improved with at least one deflector (30) and/or (30R) in combination with at least one wedge field (46) for denser folding of ion rays (73). Systematic mechanical misalignments (72) of ion mirrors (71) may be compensated by electrical tuning of the instrument, as shown by resolution improvements between simulated peaks for non compensated case (74) and compensated one (75), and/or by an electronically controlled global electrostatic wedge/arc field within ion mirror (71).

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing ions towards an ion storage region; selecting a target maximum charge desired to be stored within the ion storage region at any given time; and reducing the ion current passing to the ion storage region such that the ions entering the ion storage region do not cause the total charge within the storage region to rise above said target maximum charge. The step of reducing the ion current passing to the ion storage region 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. Said steps of separating and mass filtering the ions result in substantially only target ions having selected combinations of ion mobility and mass to charge ratio being transmitted towards the ion storage region.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising: a multi-reflecting time of flight (MRTOF) mass analyser or mass separator having two gridless ion mirrors 2 that are elongated in a first dimension (Z-dimension) and configured to reflect ions multiple times in a second orthogonal dimension (X-dimension) as the ions travel in the first dimension; the spectrometer configured to operate in: (i) a first mode for ions having a first rate of interaction with background gas molecules in the mass analyser or separator, such that the ions are reflected a first number of times between the ion mirrors 2; and (ii) a second mode for ions having a second, higher rate of interaction with background gas molecules in the mass analyser or separator, such that ions are reflected a second, lower number of times between the ion mirrors 2.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising obtaining physical or other non-mass spectrometric data from one or more regions of a target using a probe. The physical or other non-mass spectrometric data may be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then used to generate an aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.

Abstract: An ion guide is disclosed comprising a first array of electrodes and a second array of electrodes and one or more apertures or ion exit regions. The first array of electrodes comprises a first plurality of arcuate electrodes arranged in parallel with one another and such that said first plurality of arcuate electrodes at least partially surround said one or more apertures or ion exit regions and/or wherein said second array of electrodes comprises a second plurality of arcuate electrodes arranged in parallel with one another and such that said second plurality of arcuate electrodes at least partially surround said one or more apertures or ion exit regions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising obtaining or acquiring chemical or other non-mass spectrometric data from one or more regions of a target using a chemical sensor. The chemical or other non-mass spectrometric data may be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then be used to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.