Abstract: A mass spectrometer system and a method of operating a mass spectrometer are provided. An RF field is produced between the plurality of rods to radially confine the ions in the rod set. The RF field has a resolving DC component field. The resolving DC component field is varied along at least a portion of a length of the rod set to provide a DC axial force acting on the ions.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus and method for generating sample ions from sample molecules in which a mixture of a sample and a matrix are vaporized by a laser beam and Subsequently ionized by reagent corona ions. The decoupling of the vaporization and ionization steps allows each process to be separately optimized. The vaporization step can be done in a sub-atmospheric pressure region. Alternatively, the vaporization and ionization steps can be done in a higher pressure region. In addition, the reagent corona ions can be generated in a vacuum chamber or a chamber at atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, the reagent ions can be generated in a sub-atmospheric region while the laser desorption occurs in an atmospheric region.

Abstract: An interface apparatus, for coupling a plurality of ion source to a mass spectrometer has a plurality of ion sources for generating a plurality of ion beams. An inlet device for passing ion beams into the mass spectrometer is provided as is a device or mechanism for selecting one of the ion beams for passage through into the mass spectrometer and for blocking the other ion beams. An outlet provides a connection to a mass spectrometer. A corresponding method is provided.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus and method for generating sample ions from sample molecules in which a mixture of a sample and a matrix are vaporized by a laser beam and subsequently ionized by reagent corona ions. The decoupling of the vaporization and ionization steps allows each process to be separately optimized. The vaporization and ionization steps can be done in a sub-atmospheric pressure region. Alternatively, the vaporization and ionization steps can be done in a higher pressure region. In addition, the reagent corona ions can be generated in a vacuum chamber or a chamber at atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, the reagent ions can be generated in a sub-atmospheric region while the laser desorption occurs in an atmospheric region.

Abstract: An interface apparatus, for coupling plurality of ion source to a mass spectrometer has a plurality of ion sources for generating a plurality of ion beams. An inlet device for passing ion beams into the mass spectrometer is provided as is a device or mechanism for selecting one of the ion beams for passage through into the mass spectrometer and for blocking the other ion beams. An outlet provides a connection to a mass spectrometer. A corresponding method is provided.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer, typically a quadrupole, one of the rod sets is constructed to create an axial field, e.g. a DC axial field, thereon. The axial field can be created by tapering the rods, or arranging the rods at angles with respect to each other, or segmenting the rods, or by providing a segmented case around the rods, or by providing resistively coated or segmented auxiliary rods, or by providing a set of conductive metal bands spaced along each rod with a resistive coating between the bands, or by forming each rod as a tube with a resistive exterior coating and a conductive inner coating, or by other appropriate methods. When the axial field is applied to Q0 in a tandem quadrupole set, it speeds passages of ions through Q0 and reduces delay caused by the need to refill Q0 with ions when jumping from low to high mass in Q1. When used as collision cell Q2, the axial field reduces the delay needed for daughter ions to drain out of Q2.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer, typically a quadrupole, one of the rod sets is constructed to create an axial field, e.g. a DC axial field, thereon. The axial field can be created by tapering the rods, or arranging the rods at angles with respect to each other, or segmenting the rods, or by providing a segmented case around the rods, or by providing resistively coated or segmented auxiliary rods, or by providing a set of conductive metal bands spaced along each rod with a resistive coating between the bands, or by forming each rod as a tube with a resistive exterior coating and a conductive inner coating, or by other appropriate methods. When the axial field is applied to Q0 in a tandem quadrupole set, it speeds passages of ions through Q0 and reduces delay caused by the need to refill Q0 with ions when jumping from low to high mass in Q1. When used as collision cell Q2, the axial field reduces the delay needed for daughter ions to drain out of Q2.

Abstract: A mass analyzer having a set of rods, e.g. quadrupole rods, into which ions are injected axially and are then contained by the combination of collision gas in the volume between the rods and end lenses which prevent the ions from leaving the volume between the rods. After the ions have been contained and manipulated, they are ejected radially through an opening or slot in one of the rods for detection. The configuration provides many of the advantages of a conventional ion trap, e.g. greater sensitivity, while avoiding a number of disadvantages of a conventional trap. If desired ions can be dissociated by applying an axial oscillating field, before being radially ejected.