Abstract: A mass spectrometry method comprises: (1) introducing ions and gas into an first electrode section of an ion transport apparatus through a slot of an ion transfer tube, the ion tunnel section comprising a first longitudinal axis that is contained within a slot plane of the ion transfer tube, the first longitudinal axis not intersecting an outlet of the ion transfer tube, wherein the apparatus further comprises: (a) a second electrode section configured to receive the ions from the first electrode section and comprising a second longitudinal axis that is not coincident with the first longitudinal axis; and (b) an ion outlet aperture; (2) providing voltages to electrodes of the ion transport apparatus that urge the ions to migrate towards the first longitudinal axis within the first electrode section; and (3) exhausting gas through a port that is offset from the ion outlet aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for imaging and ablating a sample. An imaging/ablating device (110) includes an optical assembly (112), a sample stage (114), and a receiver (116). The optical assembly (112) is disposed in an inverted position below the sample stage (114) and the receiver (116) is positioned above the sample stage (112). The optical assembly enables imaging of a sample disposed on the sample stage (114). The optical assembly (112) also enables ablation of a region of interest within the sample. The laser light propagated from the optical assembly during ablation propagates substantially in the same direction as the direction of travel of the ablation plume (20) toward the receiver (116).

Abstract: Trapping ions in an ion trapping assembly is described. In one aspect, this is implemented by introducing ions into the ion trapping assembly, applying a first RF trapping amplitude to the ion trapping assembly so as to trap introduced ions which have m/z ratios within a first range of m/z ratios, and cooling the trapped ions. In some aspects, also performed is reducing the RF trapping amplitude from the first RF trapping amplitude to a second, lower, RF trapping amplitude so as to reduce the low mass cut-off of the ion trapping assembly and trapping, at the second, lower RF trapping amplitude, introduced ions having m/z ratios within a second range of m/z ratios. A lower mass limit of the second range of m/z ratios is below the low mass cut-off of the ion trapping assembly when the first RF trapping amplitude is applied.

Abstract: An ion mobility analyser comprising an ion guide is provided. The ion guide defines an ion drift channel extending in an axial direction an includes first and second electrode assemblies provided on opposing sides of the ion drift channel. Each of the first and second electrode assemblies extend in the axial direction and in a transverse direction which is transverse to the axial direction. The first and second electrode assemblies are spaced apart on opposing sides of the ion drift channel by a first distance at a narrowest point along the axial direction. Each of the first and second electrode assemblies comprises a set of first electrodes, and a set of second electrodes. The electrodes in the first and second sets are arranged in an alternating pattern in the transverse direction. The alternating pattern extends in the transverse direction a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: An ion mobility analyser is disclosed having a gas flow directed along the ion travel axis and a set of electrodes to which DC voltages are applied to establish a DC field. The opposing forces of the gas flow and DC field cause ions to be trapped within a separation region in axial regions determined by their ion mobilities. A gas recirculator, having inlet and outlet ends respectively located downstream and upstream of the separation region, supplies at least fifty percent of the gas flow within the separation region, thereby reducing vacuum pumping requirements.

Abstract: A method of ion mobility spectrometry and an ion mobility spectrometer. The method comprises introducing a packet of sample ions into a chamber, the sample ions including an ion for analysis and the chamber housing a drift region and a deflection region. The sample ions are passed on a drift trajectory through the drift region towards the deflection region, wherein the sample ions separate according to their ion mobility as they pass through the drift region. The sample ions received from the drift region are then passed on a deflection trajectory through the deflection region whilst changing the direction of the sample ions on the deflection trajectory to travel towards the same drift region or a further drift region.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode arrangement 10, 10? for an ion trap, ion filter, an ion guide, a reaction cell or an ion analyser. The electrode arrangement 10, 10? comprises an RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? mechanically coupled to a dielectric material 11. The RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? is mechanically coupled to the dielectric material 11 by a plurality of separators 13 that are spaced apart and configured to define a gap between the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? and the dielectric material 11. Each of the plurality of separators 13 comprises a projecting portion 13b and the dielectric material 11 comprises corresponding receiving portions 11a such that on coupling of the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? to the dielectric material 11, the projecting portion 13b of each separator 13 is received within the corresponding receiving portion 11a of the dielectric material 11.

Abstract: An ion guide may comprise a set of plate electrodes, each plate electrode having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. The set of plate electrodes are spatially arranged such that a relative positioning of each plurality of apertures of a respective plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes and respective adjacent plate electrodes of the set of plate electrodes defines a continuous ion flight path through the respective plurality of apertures of each plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes. The continuous ion flight path has a helical-based and/or spiral-based shape.

Abstract: A vacuum pump system for evacuating at least five volumes comprising a turbomolecular pump and a forevacuum pump arranged to pump an output of the turbomolecular pump arrangement to atmosphere. The turbomolecular pump has at least five pumping stages separated by rotor blades. Not more than three pumping stages have pumping speeds in excess of ? of the highest pumping speed when under vacuum and/or a pumping port cross section in excess of ? of the highest pumping port cross section, and at least two pumping stages have pumping speeds less than ¼ of the highest pumping speed when under vacuum and/or a pumping port cross section of less than ¼ of the biggest pumping port cross section. The ratio of pressures between the pumping stage with the highest pressure and the pumping stage with the lowest pressure is at least 100000:1 when under vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode arrangement 10, 10? for an ion trap, ion filter, an ion guide, a reaction cell or an ion analyser. The electrode arrangement 10, 10? comprises an RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? mechanically coupled to a dielectric material 11. The RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? is mechanically coupled to the dielectric material 11 by a plurality of separators 13 that are spaced apart and configured to define a gap between the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? and the dielectric material 11. Each of the plurality of separators 13 comprises a projecting portion 13b and the dielectric material 11 comprises corresponding receiving portions 11a such that on coupling of the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? to the dielectric material 11, the projecting portion 13b of each separator 13 is received within the corresponding receiving portion 11a of the dielectric material 11.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer, comprising: a pulsed ion injector for forming an ion beam that travels along an ion path; a detector for detecting ions in the ion beam that arrive at the detector at times according to their m/z values; an ion focusing arrangement located between the ion injector and the detector for focusing the ion beam in at least one direction orthogonal to the ion path; and a variable voltage supply for supplying the ion focusing arrangement with at least one variable voltage that is dependent on a charge state and/or an amount of ions of at least one species of ions in the ion beam. A corresponding method of mass spectrometry is provided. The charge state and/or an amount of ions may be acquired from a pre-scan, or predicted. Tuning of the spectrometer based on a charge state and/or an amount of ions of at least one species of ions in the ion beam may be performed on the fly.

Abstract: An ion guide may comprise a set of plate electrodes, each plate electrode having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. The set of plate electrodes are spatially arranged such that a relative positioning of each plurality of apertures of a respective plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes and respective adjacent plate electrodes of the set of plate electrodes defines a continuous ion flight path through the respective plurality of apertures of each plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes. The continuous ion flight path has a helical-based and/or spiral-based shape.

Abstract: Systems and method for the preparation and delivery of biological samples for charged particle analysis are disclosed herein. An example system at least includes an ion filter coupled to select a sample ion from an ionized sample supply, the ion filter including a quadrupole filter to select the sample ion from the sample supply, an energy reduction cell coupled to receive the selected sample ion and reduce a kinetic energy of the sample ion, a validation unit coupled to receive the sample ion and determine whether the sample ion is a target sample ion, a substrate coupled to receive the sample, wherein the substrate is electron transparent, an ion transport module coupled to receive the sample ion from the ion filter and transport the sample ion to the substrate, and an imaging system arranged to image, with a low energy charged particle beam, the sample located on the substrate, wherein the substrate is arranged in an analysis location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for analyzing particles, the system comprising: a NEMS device comprising at least one NEMS sensor for detecting particles impacting the at least one NEMS sensor, each NEMS sensor comprising a NEMS sensor area, a particle lens assembly, the particle lens assembly comprising at least one particle lens for focusing particles onto a NEMS sensor of the at least one NEMS sensor, wherein the particle lens assembly is spaced from the at least one NEMS sensor area by a separation distance, wherein the system is configured to sustain a space defined between the particle lens assembly and the NEMS device at a pressure where a mean free path for a reference particle is greater than the separation distance. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting together vacuum-based analytical systems requiring to be vibrationally isolated, comprising: a tubular connector having a longitudinal axis, the connector comprising a first end for connection to a first analytical system and a flexible portion reducing transmission of vibrations and permitting displacement of the first analytical system in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connector; and a seal longitudinally separated from the flexible portion, for vacuum sealing between the connector and a second analytical system; wherein the connector contains ion optics for transmitting ions between the first and second analytical systems.

Abstract: Systems and method for the preparation and delivery of biological samples for charged particle analysis are disclosed herein. An example system at least includes an ion filter coupled to select a sample ion from an ionized sample supply, the ion filter including a quadrupole filter to select the sample ion from the sample supply, an energy reduction cell coupled to receive the selected sample ion and reduce a kinetic energy of the sample ion, a validation unit coupled to receive the sample ion and determine whether the sample ion is a target sample ion, a substrate coupled to receive the sample, wherein the substrate is electron transparent, an ion transport module coupled to receive the sample ion from the ion filter and transport the sample ion to the substrate, and an imaging system arranged to image, with a low energy charged particle beam, the sample located on the substrate, wherein the substrate is arranged in an analysis location.

Abstract: A sample introduction system for a spectrometer comprises a desolvation region that receives or generates sample ions from a solvent matrix and removes at least some of the solvent matrix from the sample ions. A separation chamber downstream of the desolvation region has a separation chamber inlet communicating with the desolvation region, for receiving the desolvated sample ions along with non-ionised solvent and solvent ion vapours. The separation chamber has electrodes for generating an electric field within the separation chamber, defining a first flow path for sample ions between the separation chamber inlet and a separation chamber outlet. Unwanted solvent ions and non-ionised solvent vapours are directed away from the separation chamber outlet. The sample introduction system has a reaction chamber with an inlet communicating with the separation chamber outlet, for receiving the sample ions from the separation chamber and for decomposing the received ions into smaller products.

Abstract: A method of reducing fragmentation of ions generated from a sample during transport of the ions through an ion transport apparatus that comprises an ion funnel portion, comprises: applying a selected DC potential difference between an outlet end of the ion transport apparatus and an exit ion lens that is disposed adjacent to the outlet end, wherein a sign of the selected DC potential difference is chosen so as to accelerate the ions from the outlet end of the ion transport apparatus towards and through the exit ion lens.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system comprises: (a) an ion source; (b) a mass filter or a time-of-flight (TOF) ion separator configured to receive a stream of first-generation ions from the ion source; (c) an ion storage device having an ion inlet configured to receive a stream of filtered ions comprising a plurality of ion species from the mass filter or TOF separator and to accumulate the plurality of ion species therein; (d) an ion mobility cell having an ion inlet configured to receive an accumulated batch of ion species from the ion storage device and an ion outlet configured to release, one at a time, the individual ion species therefrom; and (e) a mass analyzer configured to receive and mass analyze each first-generation ion species or each fragment ion species generated by fragmentation or other reaction of the various first-generation ion species.

Abstract: An elemental mass spectrometer uses a mass filter to select ions from ions received from an ion source and transmit the selected ions. A reaction or collision cell receives the transmitted ions and reacts or collides these with a gas to provide product ions thereby. A mass analyzer receives the product ions, analyzes them and provides at least one output based on detection of the analyzed ions. The elemental mass spectrometer is operated to provide a first output from the mass analyzer measuring ions within a first analysis range of mass-to-charge to provide a second output from the mass analyzer measuring ions within a second analysis range of mass-to-charge ratios and to correct the first output for interference on the basis of the second output.