Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube which surrounds the first capillary tube. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube at a flow rate >200 ?L/min.

Abstract: A mass or mass to charge ratio selective ion trap is disclosed which directs ions into a small ejection region. A RF voltage acts to confine ions in a first (y) direction within the ion trap. A DC or RF voltage acts to confine ions in a second (x) direction. A quadratic DC potential well acts to confine ions in a third (z) direction within the ion trap. The profile of the quadratic DC potential well progressively varies along the second (x) direction.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing gas phase analyte in a vacuum housing; electrospraying a reagent solution outside of the vacuum housing so as to form charged droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions; conveying the charged droplets and/or reagent ions into the vacuum housing and reacting them with the analyte so as to form analyte ions; and analyzing the analyte ions with a mass analyzer and/or ion mobility analyzer. Reacting the droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions with the analyte in sub-atmospheric pressures improved the reaction conditions.

Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a tandem quadrupole mass analyzer, a 3D ion trap mass analyzer, a 2D or linear ion trap mass analyzer, a Time of Flight mass analyzer, a quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyzer or an electrostatic mass analyzer arranged in the third vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and an ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm.

Abstract: A method of fragmenting ions is disclosed comprising providing a linear ion trap comprising: (i) a first electrode set comprising a plurality of first electrodes; (ii) a second electrode set arranged downstream of the first electrode set and comprising a plurality of second electrodes; and (iii) a third electrode set arranged downstream of the second electrode set and comprising a plurality of third electrodes. Ions are axially confined within the linear ion trap. Either: (i) a potential difference between at least some of the first electrodes and at least some of the second electrodes; and/or (ii) a potential difference between at least some of the second electrodes and at least some of the third electrodes, is varied in order to accelerate at least some ions confined within the linear ion trap in order to cause the ions to fragment so as to form fragment or daughter ions.

Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a split flow turbomolecular vacuum pump comprising an intermediate or interstage port connected to the second vacuum chamber and a high vacuum (“HV”) port connected to the third vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source 701, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump 707 is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump 707 is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide 702 is located within the first vacuum chamber. An ion detector 705 is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector 705 is ?400 mm.

Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and an ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm.

Abstract: A method of constructing an ion guide is disclosed comprising providing an elongated spine member and a plurality of plates. Each plate comprises an aperture therethrough for receiving the spine member and at least one electrode for use in guiding ions. The apertures of the plates are arranged around the spine member and the plates are arranged along the spine member. The plates are then locked in position on the spine member such that the plates are fixed axially with respect to the spine member and so that the electrodes of the plates are arranged so as to form an array of electrodes for use in guiding ions.

Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm. The product of the pressure P1 in the vicinity of the first RF ion guide and the length L1 of the first RF ion guide is in the range 10-100 mbar-cm and the product of the pressure P2 in the vicinity of the second RF ion guide and the length L2 of the second RF ion guide is in the range 0.05-0.3 mbar-cm.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising directing first photons from a laser onto ions located within a 2D or linear ion guide or ion trap. The frequency of the first photons is scanned and first photons and/or second photons emitted by the ions are detected. The ions are then mass analysed using a Time of Flight mass analyser.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising passing ions through a first stage and a second stage of a mass spectrometer and monitoring a first ion acquisition for a first dwell time extending from a time T1 to a time T1+Tdwell1. The method further comprises reconfiguring the mass spectrometer or one or more components of the mass spectrometer to monitor a second ion acquisition and setting the first stage to transmit ions of the second ion acquisition at a time T, wherein T<T1+Tdwell1. The method further comprises monitoring the second ion acquisition for a second dwell time starting at a time T2, wherein T2>T1+Tdwell1 and determining the time T based on a known or calculated ion transit time through one or more regions or components of the mass spectrometer disposed downstream of the first stage.

Abstract: A method of automatically performing a routine to check the operational state of a mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein the method is performed automatically as a start-up routine upon switching ON the mass spectrometer. The method comprises automatically generating a vacuum within one or more vacuum chambers of a mass spectrometer and automatically generating first ions using an internal ion source, wherein the internal ion source is located within a vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer or is located within a chamber downstream from an atmospheric pressure interface, and detecting at least some of the first ions or second ions derived from the first ions. The method further comprises automatically determining whether or not the mass spectrometer is in a correct operational state.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first mass filter comprising a plurality of electrodes and a first device arranged and adapted to generate an axial force which drives at least some ions axially through or along the first mass filter and a quadrupole mass filter or mass analyzer arranged downstream of the mass filter.

Abstract: A non-linear ion guide is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes. An ion guiding region is arranged between the electrodes, and the ion guiding region curves at least in a first direction. A DC voltage is applied to at least some of the electrodes in order to form a DC potential well which acts to confine ions within the ion guiding region in the first direction.

Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a tandem quadrupole mass analyzer, a 3D ion trap mass analyzer, a 2D or linear ion trap mass analyzer, a Time of Flight mass analyzer, a quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyzer or an electrostatic mass analyzer arranged in the third vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an on trap and a fragmentation device. Ions are fragmented in the ion trap to form first generation fragment ions. The ion trap has a relatively high mass cut-off. The first generation fragment ions are then transferred to a fragmentation device which is arranged to have a substantially lower low mass cut-off. The first generation fragment ions are fragmented within the fragmentation device any may optionally be stored in an ion accumulation region prior to being passed to a mass analyser for subsequent mass analysis.

Abstract: A method of automatically performing a routine to check the operational state of a mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein the method is performed automatically as a start-up routine upon switching ON the mass spectrometer. The method comprises automatically generating a vacuum within one or more vacuum chambers of a mass spectrometer and automatically generating first ions using an internal ion source, wherein the internal ion source is located within a vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer or is located within a chamber downstream from an atmospheric pressure interface, and detecting at least some of the first ions or second ions derived from the first ions. The method further comprises automatically determining whether or not the mass spectrometer is in a correct operational state.

Abstract: Ions having a restricted range of mass to charge ratios are transmitted to the acceleration region of a Time of Flight mass analyser. A control system applies a first extraction pulse to an acceleration electrode in order to accelerate a first group of ions into the time of flight region at a first time T1, wherein ions having the lowest mass to charge ratio in the first group of ions have a time of flight ?T1min through the time of flight region and ions having the highest mass to charge ratio in the first group of ions have a time of flight ?T1max through the time of flight region. The control system applies a second extraction pulse to the acceleration electrode at a subsequent second time T2, wherein ?T1max??T1min?T2?T1<?T1max.