Abstract: An apparatus for separating ions includes an electrode arrangement having a length extending between first and second ends. The first end is configured to introduce a beam of ions into an ion transmission space of the arrangement. An electronic controller applies an RF potential and a DC potential to an electrode of the electrode arrangement, for generating a ponderomotive RF electric field and a mass-independent DC electric field. The application of the potentials is controlled such that a ratio of the strength of the ponderomotive RF electric field to the strength of the mass-independent DC electric field varies along the length of the electrode arrangement. The generated electric field supports extraction of ions having different m/z values at respective different positions along the length of the electrode arrangement. Ions are extracted in one of increasing and decreasing sequential order of m/z ratio with increasing distance from the first end.

Abstract: The present inventive concepts relate to determining an isotope ratio using mass spectrometry. Mass spectra of ions are obtained by generating ions, guiding the ions through a device having a mass transfer function that varies with ion current, providing at least some of the ions to a mass analyzer and obtaining a mass spectrum of the ions and determining the ion current of the ions provided to the mass analyzer. An isotope ratio of the ions is determined for each mass spectrum. Using the determined isotope ratio and determined ion current for each mass spectrum, a calibration relationship is determined that characterizes the variation of the determined isotope ratios and the measured ion currents across the mass spectra. Then, a measured isotope ratio obtained at a determined ion current is adjusted using the calibration relationship to adjust the measured isotope ratio to an adjusted isotope ratio corresponding to a selected ion current.

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 injecting ions into an electrostatic trap, comprising: generating ions in an ion source; transporting the ions from the ion source to an ion store downstream of the ion source; releasing the ions from the ion store to an ion guide downstream of the ion store; and accelerating the ions from the ion guide as a pulse into an orbital electrostatic trap for mass analysis, wherein the average velocity of the ions as the ions exit from the ion guide is substantially higher than the average velocity of the ions as they exit from the ion store, wherein there is a delay between releasing the ions from the ion store and accelerating the ions from the ion guide. Also an apparatus suitable for the method.

Abstract: A method of imaging analyte elements in an organic sample includes providing the sample as a layer on a substrate and reacting the sample on the substrate to produce one or more volatile products that leave the sample while the one or more elements remain in the sample. A majority of the sample layer by weight is removed from the substrate by the reaction and the remaining sample layer is enriched in the one or more elements which are not spatially disturbed by the reaction. The method including subsequently detecting the one or more elements in the concentrated sample layer using an imaging elemental analyzer.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising: a pulsed ion source for generating pulses of ions having a range of masses; a time-of-flight mass analyzer for receiving and mass analyzing the pulses of ions from the ion source; and an energy controlling electrode assembly located between the pulsed ion source and the time-of-flight mass analyzer configured to receive the pulses of ions from the pulsed ion source and apply a time-dependent potential to the ions thereby to control the energy of the ions depending on their m/z before they reach the time-of-flight mass analyzer. Mass dependent differences in average energy of ions can be reduced for injection into a time-of-flight mass analyzer, which can improve ion transmission and/or instrument resolving power.

Abstract: A data independent acquisition method of mass spectrometry for analyzing a sample within a mass range of interest as it elutes from a chromatography system. The method comprises selecting precursor ions within a mass range of interest to be analyzed, performing at least one MS1 scan of the precursor ions using a Fourier Transform mass analyser and performing a set of MS2 scans by segmenting the precursor ions into a plurality of precursor mass segments, each precursor mass segment having a mass range of no greater than 5 amu, and for each precursor mass segment fragmenting the precursor ions within that precursor mass segment and performing an MS2 scan of the fragmented ions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-reflection mass spectrometer comprising two ion mirrors spaced apart and opposing each other in an X direction, each mirror elongated along a drift direction Y orthogonal to the direction X, and an ion injector for injecting ions as an ion beam into the space between the ion mirrors at an inclination angle to the X direction. Along a first portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a first degree of convergence, and along a second portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a second degree of convergence or are parallel, the first portion of their length being closer to the ion injector than the second portion and the first degree of convergence being greater than the second degree of convergence.

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-ionized solvent and solvent ion vapors. 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-ionized solvent vapors 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: The invention provides a data acquisition system and method for detecting ions in a mass spectrometer, comprising: a detection system for detecting ions comprising two or more detectors for outputting two or more detection signals in separate channels in response to ions arriving at the detection system; and a data processing system for receiving and processing the detection signals in separate channels of the data processing system and for merging the processed detection signals to construct a mass spectrum; wherein the processing in separate channels comprises removing noise from the detection signals by applying a threshold to the detection signals. The detection signals are preferably produced in response to the same ions, the signals being shifted in time relative to each other. The invention is suitable for a TOF mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-reflection mass spectrometer comprising two ion mirrors spaced apart and opposing each other in an X direction, each mirror elongated along a drift direction Y orthogonal to the direction X, and an ion injector for injecting ions as an ion beam into the space between the ion mirrors at an inclination angle to the X direction. Along a first portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a first degree of convergence, and along a second portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a second degree of convergence or are parallel, the first portion of their length being closer to the ion injector than the second portion and the first degree of convergence being greater than the second degree of convergence.

Abstract: A method of separating ions according to their time of flight is provided comprising: a. providing an analyzer comprising two opposing ion mirrors, each mirror comprising inner and outer field-defining electrode systems elongated along an analyzer axis with the outer field-defining electrode system surrounding the inner field-defining electrode system and creating therebetween an analyzer volume; b. injecting ions into the analyzer volume or creating ions within the analyzer volume so that they separate according to their time of flight as they travel along a main flight path while undergoing a plurality of axial oscillations in the direction of the analyzer axis and a plurality of radial oscillations while orbiting about one or more inner field-defining electrodes; c. the plurality of axial oscillations and plurality of radial oscillations causing the separated ions to intercept an exit port after a predetermined number of orbits.

Abstract: A method of imaging analyte elements in an organic sample includes providing the sample as a layer on a substrate and reacting the sample on the substrate to produce one or more volatile products that leave the sample while the one or more elements remain in the sample. A majority of the sample layer by weight is removed from the substrate by the reaction and the remaining sample layer is enriched in the one or more elements which are not spatially disturbed by the reaction. The method including subsequently detecting the one or more elements in the concentrated sample layer using an imaging elemental analyzer.

Abstract: An analyzer for separating ions according to their time of flight comprising two opposing ion mirrors abutting at a first plane, each mirror comprising inner and outer field-defining electrode systems elongated along an analyzer axis, the outer field-defining electrode system surrounding the inner field-defining electrode system. The outer field-defining electrode system of one mirror comprises two sections, the sections abutting at a second plane, comprising a first section between the first plane and the second plane, and a second section adjacent to the first section. The first section has at least a portion which extends radially from the analyzer axis a greater extent than an adjacent portion of the second section at the second plane. The outer field-defining electrode system comprises an exit port and the analyzer comprises a detector located downstream of the exit port.

Abstract: A method of switching between two modes of power supply to a mass analyzer is provided. In a first mode of operation, operated for a first predefined time duration, a first power supply, coupled to the mass analyzer, generates a first non-zero potential, while a second power supply, disconnected from the mass analyzer, generates a second non-zero potential. In a second mode of operation, operated for a second predefined time duration, the second potential is coupled to the mass analyzer, while the first power supply, disconnected from the mass analyzer, generates the first potential. These predefined time durations are selected such that only one of: the first potential; and the second potential is coupled to the mass analyzer at any time, and such that the first and second modes of operation are carried out at least once within a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for improving throughput in spectrometry, the method comprising the steps of loading sample-containing liquid into a liquid injection device through a first outlet in the injection device, and ejecting at least some of the sample-containing liquid from the liquid injection device either in the form of droplets or in the form of a jet which subsequently breaks up into droplets due to instability; characterized by the sample ejection being through the first outlet of the liquid injection device in a direction such that the sample-containing fluid enters an inlet of a torch.

Abstract: A method of injecting ions into an electrostatic trap, comprising: generating ions in an ion source; transporting the ions from the ion source to an ion store downstream of the ion source; releasing the ions from the ion store to an ion guide downstream of the ion store; and accelerating the ions from the ion guide as a pulse into an orbital electrostatic trap for mass analysis, wherein the average velocity of the ions as the ions exit from the ion guide is substantially higher than the average velocity of the ions as they exit from the ion store, wherein there is a delay between releasing the ions from the ion store and accelerating the ions from the ion guide. Also an apparatus suitable for the method.

Abstract: A method of imaging analyte elements in an organic sample includes providing the sample as a layer on a substrate and reacting the sample on the substrate to produce one or more volatile products that leave the sample while the one or more elements remain in the sample. A majority of the sample layer by weight is removed from the substrate by the reaction and the remaining sample layer is enriched in the one or more elements which are not spatially disturbed by the reaction. The method including subsequently detecting the one or more elements in the concentrated sample layer using an imaging elemental analyzer.

Abstract: A hybrid mass spectrometer comprising: an ion source for generating ions from a sample, a first mass spectral system comprising a nanoelectromechanical mass spectral (NEMS-MS) system, a second mass spectral system including at least one mass analyzer adapted to separate the charged particles according to their mass-to-charge ratios, and an integration zone coupling the first and second mass spectral systems, the integration zone including at least one directional device for controllably routing the ions to a selected one or both of the first and second mass spectral systems for analysis thereby. The second system can be an orbital electrostatic trap system. The ion beam can be electrically directed to one or the other system by ion optics. A chip with resonators can be used with cooling. Uses include analysis of large mass complexes found in biological systems, native single molecule analysis, and size and shape analysis.

Abstract: A method of injecting ions into an electrostatic trap, comprising: generating ions in an ion source; transporting the ions from the ion source to an ion store downstream of the ion source; releasing the ions from the ion store to an ion guide downstream of the ion store; and accelerating the ions from the ion guide as a pulse into an orbital electrostatic trap for mass analysis, wherein the average velocity of the ions as the ions exit from the ion guide is substantially higher than the average velocity of the ions as they exit from the ion store, wherein there is a delay between releasing the ions from the ion store and accelerating the ions from the ion guide. Also an apparatus suitable for the method.