Abstract: Methods and analyzers useful for time of flight mass spectrometry are provided.

Abstract: A method of separating charged particles using an analyser is provided, the method comprising: causing a beam of charged particles to fly through the analyser and undergo within the analyser at least one full oscillation in the direction of an analyser axis (z) of the analyser whilst orbiting about the axis (z) along a main flight path; constraining the arcuate divergence of the beam as it flies through the analyser; and separating the charged particles according to their flight time. An analyser for performing the method is also provided. At least one arcuate focusing lens is preferably used to constrain the divergence, which may comprise a pair of opposed electrodes located either side of the beam.

Abstract: A multi reflection time of flight (MRTOF) mass spectrometer (12) And method for identifying a sample is disclosed. Sample ions are generated at an ion source (15). The MRTOF is a closed mirror arrangement with first and second opposed ion mirrors (20, 20?) on an axis of reflection (XX?). The MRTOF (12) also includes a bidirectional ion deflector (50) on that axis (XX?). The deflector (50) deflects ions onto the reflection axis as a short pulse at time to <zero> where they oscillate multiple times, separating in time of flight according to ion m/z. At a later time t, ions travelling in both directions along the axis (XX?) are ejected out of the MRTOF (12) by the bidirectional deflector (50) to an ion detector arrangement (55). The separation of ions in time of flight allows a “fingerprint” of a biological sample to be produced by the detector arrangement (55) without the need to assign a mass to each peak. Comparison with a library of fingerprints permits identification.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a detection apparatus for detecting charged particles having a secondary particle generator for generating secondary charged particles in response to receiving incoming charged particles, a charged particle detector for receiving and detecting secondary charged particles generated by the secondary particle generator, a photon generator for generating photons in response to receiving secondary charged particles generated by the secondary particle generator, and a photon detector for detecting the photons generated by the photon generator.

Abstract: A method of separating charged particles using an analyzer is provided, the method comprising: causing a beam of charged particles to fly through the analyzer and undergo within the analyzer at least one full oscillation in the direction of an analyzer axis (z) of the analyzer whilst orbiting about the axis (z) along a main flight path; constraining the arcuate divergence of the beam as it flies through the analyzer; and separating the charged particles according to their flight time. An analyzer for performing the method is also provided. At least one arcuate focusing lens is preferably used to constrain the divergence, which may comprise a pair of opposed electrodes located either side of the beam.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a detection apparatus for detecting charged particles having a charged particle detector for receiving and detecting either incoming charged particles or secondary charged particles generated from the incoming charged particles, a photon generator for generating photons in response to receiving at least some of the same incoming charged particles or secondary charged particles generated from the incoming charged particles as are received and detected by the charged particle detector, and a photon detector for detecting photons generated by the photon generator.

Abstract: Methods and analysers useful for time of flight mass spectrometry are provided.

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: A method of increasing ion throughput within an accumulator, an energy lift and a pulsed ion extractor, operated in that order upon a batch of ions, comprising the steps of: firstly loading a batch of ions into the accumulator; secondly changing the electrical potential of the energy lift to raise the energy of the batch of ions contained therein; and thirdly ejecting the batch of ions from the pulsed ion extractor; and wherein: the energy lift is a separate device from the accumulator and the pulsed ion extractor, and whilst changing the electrical potential in the second step a fresh batch of ions is loaded into the accumulator and/or a previous batch of ions is prepared for ejection in the pulsed ion extractor; or the energy lift is incorporated into the pulsed ion extractor and whilst changing the electrical potential in the second step a fresh batch of ions is loaded into the accumulator; or the energy lift is incorporated into the accumulator and whilst changing the electrical potential in the second st

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high resolution separation of ions based on their high field and low-field mobility properties is described. An elongate ion separation channel is defined by a plurality of channel walls. First and second channel walls have first and second spaced ion separation electrode assemblies respectively. A power supply applies a periodic asymmetric potential to one or both of the electrode assemblies so as to generate a periodically asymmetric electric field in the channel for ion mobility separation. The channel walls define an ion separation channel of substantially helical shape.

Abstract: Methods and analyzers useful for time of flight mass spectrometry are provided.

Abstract: Methods and analysers useful for time of flight mass spectrometry are provided.

Abstract: A method of separating charged particles using an analyser is provided, the method comprising: causing a beam of charged particles to fly through the analyser and undergo within the analyser at least one full oscillation in the direction of an analyser axis (z) of the analyser whilst orbiting about the axis (z) along a main flight path; constraining the arcuate divergence of the beam as it flies through the analyser; and separating the charged particles according to their flight time. An analyser for performing the method is also provided. At least one arcuate focusing lens is preferably used to constrain the divergence, which may comprise a pair of opposed electrodes located either side of the beam.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of operating a charged particle trap in which ions undergo multiple reflections back and forth and/or follow a closed orbit around, usually, a set of electrodes. The invention allows high-performance isolation of multiple ion species for subsequent detection or fragmentation by deflecting ions out of the ion trap according to a timing scheme calculated with reference to the ions' periods of oscillation within the ion trap.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a detection apparatus for detecting charged particles having a secondary particle generator for generating secondary charged particles in response to receiving incoming charged particles, a charged particle detector for receiving and detecting secondary charged particles generated by the secondary particle generator, a photon generator for generating photons in response to receiving secondary charged particles generated by the secondary particle generator, and a photon detector for detecting the photons generated by the photon generator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a detection apparatus for detecting charged particles having a charged particle detector for receiving and detecting either incoming charged particles or secondary charged particles generated from the incoming charged particles, a photon generator for generating photons in response to receiving at least some of the same incoming charged particles or secondary charged particles generated from the incoming charged particles as are received and detected by the charged particle detector, and a photon detector for detecting photons generated by the photon generator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of operating a charged particle trap in which ions undergo multiple reflections back and forth and/or follow a closed orbit around, usually, a set of electrodes. The invention allows high-performance isolation of multiple ion species for subsequent detection or fragmentation by deflecting ions out of the ion trap according to a timing scheme calculated with reference to the ions' periods of oscillation within the ion trap.

Abstract: An ion focusing and conveying device 10 comprises a plurality of electrodes 12 in series. Means is provided to apply a first alternating voltage waveform to each electrode 12, the phase of the alternating voltage in the first waveform is applied to each electrode 12 in the series being ahead of the phase of the first alternating voltage waveform applied to the preceding electrode 12 in the series by less than 180°, preferably by 90° or less, such that ions are focused onto an axis of travel and impelled along the series of electrodes 12.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry apparatus 105 comprises a serial arrangement of an ion source 110, first time of flight means, a field free region 120, means to fragment the molecules, a second time of flight means and a large area detector 160. The second time of flight means includes an ion mirror 150, the ion mirror 150 being arranged to produce a reflecting substantially quadratic field. The first time of flight means is arranged to provide spatial focusing concomitant with time focusing of ions at or near the entrance to the ion mirror 150. The means provided to fragment the ions front the first time of flight means can be a collision cell 140 or in the field free region 220 or in the first time of flight means. The means to fragment the molecules has a potential which is different from the potential at the entrance to the ion mirror 150, and the detecting surface of the detector 160 is mounted in the time focal surface of the ion mirror 150.

Abstract: An ion focussing and conveying device 10 comprises a plurality of electrodes 12 in series. Means is provided to apply a first alternating voltage waveform to each electrode 12, the phase of the alternating voltage in the first waveform is applied to each electrode 12 in the series being ahead of the phase of the first alternating voltage waveform applied to the preceding electrode 12 in the series by less than 180°, preferably by 90° or less, such that ions are focussed onto an axis of travel and impelled along the series of electrodes 12.