Abstract: A mass spectrometer and methods for controlling a mass spectrometer are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the mass spectrometer includes a plurality of discrete functional modules, each operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer, wherein the modules are individually addressable and connected in a network. The mass spectrometer can also include a scheduler operable to introduce discrete packets of instructions to the network at predetermined times to instruct at least one module to perform a predetermined operation.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and methods for controlling a mass spectrometer are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the mass spectrometer includes a plurality of discrete functional modules, each operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer, wherein the modules are individually addressable and connected in a network. The mass spectrometer can also include a scheduler operable to introduce discrete packets of instructions to the network at predetermined times to instruct at least one module to perform a predetermined operation.

Abstract: An ion detector (27) for use in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (1) is disclosed. The ion detector (27), which has an extended dynamic range, comprises at least one microchannel plate electron multiplier (42, 32) together with first and second collection electrodes (36, 38; 39). The second collection electrode (36, 38) is arranged such that in receives more electrons per ion entering the ion detector (27) than the first collection electrode (39). In one embodiment the collection electrodes (36, 38; 39) are formed in an array consisting of a larger plate-like collection electrode (36, 38) and a smaller plate-like collection electrode (39). In an alternative embodiment a second microchannel plate electron multiplier is arranged between the first collection electrode (46) and the second collection electrode (47).

Abstract: An ion detector (27) for use in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (1) is disclosed. The ion detector (27), which has an extended dynamic range, comprises collection electrodes (36, 38; 39) of different surface areas. In one embodiment the collection electrodes (36, 38; 39) are formed in an array consisting of a larger plate-like collection electrode (36, 38) and a smaller plate-like collection electrode (39). Microchannel multiplier plates (31, 32) may be arranged in front of the collection electrodes (36, 38; 39). In an alternative embodiment the collection electrodes consist of a grid (42) or, more preferably, a wire electrode (50) disposed in front of a plate-like electrode (43).