Abstract: A ring magnet assembly has a generally cylindrical magnet body defining an air gap having an upper end and a lower end. Upper and lower face plates dispose respectively at an upper portion of the ring magnet and lower portion of the ring magnet. The face plates preferably have a high magnetic permeability. A mass analyzer may be disposed within the air gap. An ion generator may be disposed within an air gap of a ring magnetic assembly of the present invention. A pair of vertically-stacked magnetic ring assemblies may be provided. In that embodiment, a mass analyzer may be disposed within one air gap and an ion generator within another.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a miniaturized structure and associated method function as a mass spectrometer or analyzer and may, with modification, function as an ion generator. The miniaturized structure has a pair of generally planar parallel spaced electrodes which have projecting walls cooperating to define an ion generating chamber and an exit aperture. By controlling the electric field which is oriented perpendicular to an applied magnetic field, the ion beam may be separated into a plurality beams based upon mass to charge ratio with a predetermined mass to charge ratio emerging from the exit of the apparatus and when the apparatus is functioning as a mass spectrometer or analyzer impinges on an ion collector which responsively transmits information to a cooperating processor. Where it is desired to have it function as an ionizer the ion collector disposed adjacent the ion exit is eliminated.

Abstract: A circular cycloidal mass spectrometer has an outer electrode of generally circular configuration and an inner electrode having a generally circular outer periphery with an annulus for the flow of ions defined therebetween. The electrodes are structured to create an electric field therebetween. A magnetic field generator is structured to create a magnetic field oriented generally perpendicular to said electric field. An ion beam source for injecting ions into the annulus for travel therearound is provided, and an ion exit for discharge of the ions traveling in said annulus is provided with an ion collector being disposed adjacent to the ion exit. The circular cycloidal mass spectrometer may be structured to provide, under the influence of the electric field and magnetic field, a path of travel for the ion beams, which is similar to either epicycloidal or hypocycloidal curves. If desired, elliptical shapes or other suitable shapes providing a nonlinear path of ion travel may be employed.

Abstract: A method of separating ions according to mass in a mass spectrometer includes establishing a stream of ions traveling in a generally cycloidal path in an electric field and a magnetic field, subsequently causing the electric field to terminate for a predetermined period of time while maintaining the magnetic field thereby causing the electrons to travel in a generally circular path for a predetermined time period and subsequently reestablishing the electric field to cause further travel in a cycloidal path and providing a detector for receipt of some of the ions. A suitably programmed microprocessor is employed to control operation of the mass spectrometer and to receive electrical signals responsive to ions impacting on the detector to thereby provide information regarding the ions. Corresponding apparatus is provided.