Abstract: A method includes directing ions from an atmospheric pressure ion source to a first ion guide; directing ions in the first ion guide to a second ion guide, the second ion guide being a multipole ion guide extending along an axis; periodically directing ions along the axis; receiving at least some of the ions in a time-of-flight analyzer; accelerating the ions in the time-of-flight mass analyzer orthogonal to the axis; and detecting the accelerated ions.

Abstract: Electrospray ionization sources interfaced to mass spectrometers have become widely used tools in analytical applications Processes occurring in Electrospray (ES) ionization generally include the addition or removal of a charged species such as II+ or other cation to effect ionization of a sample species. Electrospray includes ionization processes that occur in the liquid and gas phase and in both phases ionization processes require a source or sink for such charged species. Electrolyte species, that aid in oxidation or reduction reactions occurring in Electrospray ionization, are added to sample solutions in many analytical applications to increase the ES ion signal amplitude detected by a mass spectrometer (MS). Electrolyte species that may be required to enhance an upstream sample preparation or separation process may be less compatible with the downstream ES processes and cause reduction in MS signal.

Abstract: Ions that are transported from an ion source to a mass spectrometer for mass analysis are often accompanied by background particles such as photons, neutral species, and cluster or aerosol ions which originate in the ion source. Background particles are also produced by scattering and neutralization of ions during collisions with background gas molecules in higher pressure regions with line-of-sight to the mass spectrometer detector. In either case, such background particles produce noise in mass spectra. Apparatus and methods are provided in which a multipole ion guide is configured to efficiently transport ions through multiple vacuum stages, while preventing background particles, produced both in the ion source and along the ion transport pathway, from reaching the detector, thereby improving signal-to-noise in mass spectra.

Abstract: An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for trapping, releasing and/or separating sample components in solution passing through a channel with or without packing material present by passing ion current through the channel driven by an electric field. A portion of the ion current comprises cation and/or anion species generated from second solution flows separated from the sample solution flow path by semipermeable membranes. Cation and/or Anion ion species generated in the second solution flow regions are transferred into the sample solution flow path through ion selective semipermeable membranes. Ion current moving along the sample solution flow path is controlled by varying the composition of the second solutions and/or changing the voltage between membrane sections for a given sample solution composition. The sample composition may also be varied separately or in parallel to enhance trapping, release and/or separation efficiency and range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to trap, release and/or separate sample components in solution passing through a channel with or without packing material present by passing ion current through the channel driven by an electric field. A portion of the ion current includes cation and/or anion species generated from second solution flows separated from the sample solution flow path by semipermeable membranes. Cation and/or anion ion species generated in the second solution flow regions are transferred into the sample solution flow path through ion selective semipermeable membranes. Ion current moving along the sample solution flow path is controlled by varying the composition of the second solutions and/or changing the voltage between membrane sections for a given sample solution composition. The sample composition may also be varied separately or in parallel to enhance trapping, release and/or separation efficiency and range.

Abstract: Species that may be required to enhance an upstream sample preparation or separation process may be less compatible with the downstream electrospray (ES) processes and cause reduction in mass spectroscopy (MS) signal. New electrolytes have been found that increase positive and negative polarity analyte ion signal measured in ESMS analysis when compared with analyte ESMS signal achieved using more conventional electrolytes. The new electrolyte species increase ES MS signal when added directly to a sample solution or when added to a second solution flow in an electrospray membrane probe, it has also been found that running the ES membrane probe with specific electrolytes in the second solution of the ES membrane probe have been found to enhance ESMS signal compared to using the same electrolytes directly in the sample solution being electrosprayed. The new electrolytes can be added to a reagent ion source configured in a combination atmospheric pressure ion source to improve ionization efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to trap, release and/or separate sample components in solution passing through a channel with or without packing material present by passing ion current through the channel driven by an electric field. A portion of the ion current includes cation and/or anion species generated from second solution flows separated from the sample solution flow path by semipermeable membranes. Cation and/or anion ion species generated in the second solution flow regions are transferred into the sample solution flow path through ion selective semipermeable membranes. Ion current moving along the sample solution flow path is controlled by varying the composition of the second solutions and/or changing the voltage between membrane sections for a given sample solution composition. The sample composition may also be varied separately or in parallel to enhance trapping, release and/or separation efficiency and range.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that enable the interaction of low-energy electrons and positrons with sample ions to facilitate electron capture dissociation (ECD) and positron capture dissociation (PCD), respectively, within multipole ion guide structures. It has recently been discovered that fragmentation of protonated ions of many biomolecules via ECD often proceeds along fragmentation pathways not accessed by other dissociation methods, leading to molecular structure information not otherwise easily obtainable. However, such analyses have been limited to expensive Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers; the implementation of ECD within commonly-used multipole ion guide structures is problematic due to the disturbing effects of RF fields within such devices.

Abstract: A Direct Sample Analysis (DSA) ion source system operating at essentially atmospheric pressure is configured to facilitate the ionization, or desorption and ionization, of sample species from a wide variety of gaseous, liquid, and/or solid samples, for chemical analysis by mass spectrometry or other gas phase ion detectors. The DSA system includes one or more means of ionizing samples and includes a sealed enclosure which provides protection from high voltages and hazardous vapors, and in which the local background gas environment may be monitored and well-controlled. The DSA system is configured to accommodate single or multiple samples at any one time, and provide external control of individual sample positioning, sample conditioning, sample heating, positional sensing, and temperature measurement.

Abstract: A Time-Of-Flight mass analyzer includes a multipole ion guide located in the ion flight path between the ion source and the flight tube of the Time-Of-Flight mass analyzer. In one preferred embodiment, a Time-Of-Flight (TOF) mass analyzer is configured such that a multipole ion guide is positioned in the ion path between the ion source and the ion pulsing region of the TOF mass analyzer. The multipole ion guide electronics and the ion guide entrance and exit electrostatic lenses are configured to enable the trapping or passing through of ions delivered from an atmospheric pressure ion source. The ion guide electronics can be set to select the mass to charge (m/z) range of ions which can be successfully transmitted or trapped in the ion guide. More than one set of m/z values can be selected using techniques such as notch filtering with resonant frequency ion ejection of unwanted m/z values.

Abstract: A method includes directing ions from an atmospheric pressure ion source to a first ion guide; directing ions in the first ion guide to a second ion guide, the second ion guide being a multipole ion guide extending along an axis; periodically directing ions along the axis; receiving at least some of the ions in a time-of-flight analyzer; accelerating the ions in the time-of-flight mass analyzer orthogonal to the axis; and detecting the accelerated ions.

Abstract: Electrospray ionization sources interfaced to mass spectrometers have become widely used tools in analytical applications. Processes occurring in Electrospray (ES) ionization generally include the addition or removal of a charged species such as H+ or other cation to effect ionization of a sample species Electrospray includes ionization processes that occur in the liquid and gas phase and in both phases ionization processes require a source or sink for such charged species. Electrolyte species, that aid in oxidation or reduction reactions occurring in Electrospray ionization, are added to sample solutions in many analytical applications to increase the ion signal amplitude generated in Electrospray and detected by a mass spectrometer (MS). Electrolyte species that may be required to enhance an upstream sample preparation or separation process may be less compatible with the downstream ES processes and cause reduction in MS signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for trapping, releasing and/or separating sample components in solution passing through a channel with or without packing material present by passing ion current through the channel driven by an electric field. A portion of the ion current comprises cation and/or anion species generated from second solution flows separated from the sample solution flow path by semipermeable membranes. Cation and/or Anion ion species generated in the second solution flow regions are transferred into the sample solution flow path through ion selective semipermeable membranes. Ion current moving along the sample solution flow path is controlled by varying the composition of the second solutions and/or changing the voltage between membrane sections for a given sample solution composition. The sample composition may also be varied separately or in parallel to enhance trapping, release and/or separation efficiency and range.

Abstract: A particle detection system is configured and operated as two or more separate and completely independent detection systems. The detection systems may be of the same or different design, may be operated in the same or different modes, and may be operated with the same or different operating parameters. Each detection system may record signals simultaneously, or alternately; the measurements obtained from each of the detection systems may either be combined into a single unified data set, or recorded separately. Means are provided to direct particles to impinge on one of the detectors or any of the other detectors. Alternatively, a population of particles can be dispersed in a manner that allows a population of particles to be distributed among two or more detectors simultaneously.

Abstract: The instant invention deals with species that may be required to enhance an upstream sample preparation or separation process may be less compatible with the downstream ES processes and cause reduction in MS signal. New electrolytes have been found that increase positive and negative polarity analyte ion signal measured in ESMS analysis when compared with analyte ESMS signal achieved using more conventional electrolytes. The new electrolyte species increase ES MS signal when added directly to a sample solution or when added to a second solution flow in an electrospray membrane probe, it has also been found that running the ES membrane probe with specific electrolytes in the second solution of the ES membrane probe have been found to enhance ESMS signal compared to using the same electrolytes directly in the sample solution being electrosprayed. The new electrolytes can be added to a reagent ion source configured in a combination atmospheric pressure ion source to improve ionization efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for trapping, releasing and/or separating sample components in solution passing through a channel with or without packing material present by passing ion current through the channel driven by an electric field. A portion of the ion current comprises cation and/or anion species generated from second solution flows separated from the sample solution flow path by semipermeable membranes. Cation and/or Anion ion species generated in the second solution flow regions are transferred into the sample solution flow path through ion selective semipermeable membranes. Ion current moving along the sample solution flow path is controlled by varying the composition of the second solutions and/or changing the voltage between membrane sections for a given sample solution composition. The sample composition may also be varied separately or in parallel to enhance trapping, release and/or separation efficiency and range.

Abstract: Electrospray ionization sources interfaced to mass spectrometers have become widely used tools in analytical applications Processes occurring in Electrospray (ES) ionization generally include the addition or removal of a charged species such as II+ or other cation to effect ionization of a sample species. Electrospray includes ionization processes that occur in the liquid and gas phase and in both phases ionization processes require a source or sink for such charged species. Electrolyte species, that aid in oxidation or reduction reactions occurring in Electrospray ionization, are added to sample solutions in many analytical applications to increase the ES ion signal amplitude detected by a mass spectrometer (MS). Electrolyte species that may be required to enhance an upstream sample preparation or separation process may be less compatible with the downstream ES processes and cause reduction in MS signal.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes an ion source and at least one vacuum stage, a means for delivering ions from the ion source to the vacuum stage, a collision cell, a detector, at least two multipole ion guide segments, and independent RF frequency and DC voltage sources applied to the multipole ion guide segments, the RF frequency and DC voltage sources being controlled independently of each other.

Abstract: Atmospheric pressure, intermediate pressure and vacuum laser desorption ionization methods and ion sources are configured to increase ionization efficiency and the efficiency of transmitting ions to a mass to charge analyzer or ion mobility analyzer. An electric field is applied in the region of a sample target to accumulate ions generated from a local ion source on a solid or liquid phase sample prior to applying a laser desorption pulse. The electric field is changed just prior to or during the desorption laser pulse to promote the desorption of charged species and improve the ionization efficiency of desorbed sample species. After a delay, the electric field may be further changed to optimize focusing and transmission of ions into a mass spectrometer or ion mobility analyzer.