Abstract: An ion source assembly comprising: a target plate for holding a sample to be analysed; a laser for ionising the sample on the target plate so as to form analyte ions; one or more optical elements; an ion guide for guiding the analyte ions; a first gas port arranged to supply a first gas stream so as to urge material generated at the target plate away from the one or more optical element; and a second, different gas port arranged to supply a second gas stream that urges ions from the target plate, towards and into the ion guide.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a rotatable isolation valve 1 having a curved, spherical, cylindrical or concave portion. At least a portion of an ion guide 2 is positioned so as to extend within a swept volume of the isolation valve 1 enabling the ion guide 2 to be positioned close to a second downstream ion guide 3 and for ions to be transmitted from the first 2 ion guide to the second ion guide 3 with high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer comprising: an ion source enclosure; a first vacuum chamber in fluid communication with said ion source enclosure via a first orifice; an isolation valve for at least partially closing said first orifice; a first pump for evacuating the ion source enclosure when the isolation valve is closed; and control circuitry configured to operate the spectrometer in a first mode in which the first pump evacuates the ion source enclosure through a conduit having a gas passage therethrough that is relatively restricted, and to then subsequently operate in a second mode in which the first pump evacuates the ion source enclosure through a conduit having a gas passage therethrough that is less restricted.

Abstract: A nozzle for an ionisation source comprises: a light passage having an inlet end and an outlet end; and a gas flow passage in fluid communication with the light passage, wherein the gas flow passage is configured to convey, in use, a flow of gas into the light passage such that the flow of gas travels substantially towards the outlet end of the light passage.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a rotatable isolation valve 1 having a curved, spherical, cylindrical or concave portion. At least a portion of an ion guide 2 is positioned so as to extend within a swept volume of the isolation valve 1 enabling the ion guide 2 to be positioned close to a second downstream ion guide 3 and for ions to be transmitted from the first 2 ion guide to the second ion guide 3 with high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a rotatable isolation valve (1) having a curved, spherical, cylindrical or concave portion. At least a portion of an ion guide (2) is positioned so as to extend within a swept volume of the isolation valve (1) enabling the ion guide (2) to be positioned close to a second downstream ion guide (3) and for ions to be transmitted from the first (2) ion guide to the second ion guide (3) with high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A nozzle for an ionisation source comprises: a light passage having an inlet end and an outlet end; and a gas flow passage in fluid communication with the light passage, wherein the gas flow passage is configured to convey, in use, a flow of gas into the light passage such that the flow of gas travels substantially towards the outlet end of the light passage.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a rotatable isolation valve (1) having a curved, spherical, cylindrical or concave portion. At least a portion of an ion guide (2) is positioned so as to extend within a swept volume of the isolation valve (1) enabling the ion guide (2) to be positioned close to a second downstream ion guide (3) and for ions to be transmitted from the first (2) ion guide to the second ion guide (3) with high ion transmission efficiency.