Abstract: A method of processing ions in a quadrupole rod set is provided, comprising a) establishing and maintaining a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field having a quadrupole harmonic with amplitude A2 and a selected higher order harmonic with amplitude Am radially confining ions having Mathieu parameters a and q within a stability region defined in terms of the Mathieu parameters a and q; c) adding an auxiliary excitation field to transform the stability region into a plurality of smaller stability islands defined in terms of the Mathieu parameters a and q; and, d) adjusting the two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field to place ions within a selected range of mass-to-charge ratios within a selected stability island in the plurality of stability islands.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and a method of operating and building same is provided in which a hexapole component is deliberately added to a substantially quadrupole field. This can result in unwanted octopole and dipole fields also being added to the substantially quadrupole field. Modifications to the mass spectrometer as well as ways of operating the mass spectrometer are provided for dealing with the unwanted octopole and dipole fields.

Abstract: An apparatus with means for controlling ion generation is discussed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of ion sources, at least one counter electrode mounted downstream for the ion sources and at least one ion controlling element mounted relative to at least one of the ion sources. Each ion controlling element is alternated between a first condition where the operation of at least one of the ion sources is enabled and a second condition where the operation of at least one of the ion sources is disabled. This concept may also be extended to an ion source apparatus having a single ion source with an ion lens mounted relative thereto. The present invention also provides a method for controlling the operation of the aforementioned apparatus. The invention further provides an apparatus and a method for the generation of ion pulses.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting check fraud includes a check scanning module and a detection module. The check scanning module scans checks and matches the encoded Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) data (i.e. serial number, Customer Account Number and amount) from the scanned digital electronic images with items in an issuance database which contains client provided check particulars. The detection module passes the check images through an optical character recognition (OCR) process to read what is written on the check and to match results against the issuance database. If the written information on the face of a check is unreadable or there is no match with the information in the issuance database, the detection module passes the check through a series of slower more precise OCR processes. Any checks that are not successfully read and matched are highlighted as an “exception” and immediately forwarded to the client for further action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating ions using a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field, and a method of manufacturing and operating an apparatus for manipulating ions using a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field are described. The field has a quadrupole harmonic with amplitude A2 and a hexapole harmonic with amplitude A3. The amplitude A3 of the hexapole component of the field is selected to improve the performance of the field with respect to ion selection and ion fragmentation.

Abstract: An ion lens is used to focus ions produced by various types of ion sources which are substantially at atmospheric pressure. The ions are focused to the inlet of a downstream mass spectrometer or other devices which require a larger and more stable ion flux improved performance. The ion lens is mounted in close proximity to the sprayer tip. The ion lens increases the total ion count rate summed over all of the generated ions. The ion lens may also be employed to vary the degree of ion fragmentation and the charge state pattern of the generated ions. The ion lens may also result in a more stable ion signal. Furthermore, more than one ion lens may be used. This invention may also be extended to multisprayer ion sources.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having an elongated rod set, and a method of operating same. The rod set has an entrance end, an exit end and a longitudinal axis. Ions are admitted into the entrance end of the rod set. At least some of the ions are trapped in the rod set by producing a barrier field at an exit member adjacent to the exit end of the rod set and by producing an RF field between the rods of the rod set adjacent at least the exit end of the rod set. The RF and barrier fields interact in an extraction region adjacent to the exit end of the rod set to produce a fringing field. Ions in the extraction region are energized to mass selectively eject at least some ions of a selected mass to charge ratio axially from the rod set past the barrier field. The RF field is a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field having a quadrupole harmonic with amplitude A2, an octopole harmonic with amplitude A4, and a hexadecapole harmonic with amplitude A8. A8 is less than A4, and A4 is greater than 0.1% of A2.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating ions using a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field, and a method of manufacturing an apparatus for manipulating ions using a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field are described. The field has a quadrupole harmonic with amplitude A2, an octopole harmonic with amplitude A4, and higher order harmonics with amplitudes A6 and A8. The amplitude A8 is less than A4. The A4 component of the field is selected to improve the performance of the field with respect to ion selection and ion fragmentation. The selected A4 component can be added by selecting a degree of asymmetry under a 90° rotation about a central axis of the quadrupole. The degree of asymmetry is selected to be sufficient to provide the selected A4 component.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for analyzing a stream of ions first subjects astream of ions to a first mass analysis step, to select ions having a mass-to-charge ratio in a first desired range; this enables a mass analyzer with highresolution to be used. The selected ions are then passed into a radiofrequency linear ion trap containing a gas. The trapped ions are caused to collide with the gas, either by being injected with a high axial energy or by application of external excitation to cause fragmentation. Fragment ions of a given mass-to-charge ratio can then be isolated and excited to produce fragments of fragments. This process can be repeated to give multiple steps of mass spectrometry, MSn. The fragment ions, and undissociated precursorions are then passed out of the linear ion trap and subjected to a further mass analysis step, for example in a time of flight device, to determine the mass spectrum of the ions.

Abstract: An apparatus with means for controlling ion generation is discussed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of ion sources, at least one counter electrode mounted downstream for the ion sources and at least one ion controlling element mounted relative to at least one of the ion sources. Each ion controlling element is alternated between a first condition where the operation of at least one of the ion sources is enabled and a second condition where the operation of at least one of the ion sources is disabled. This concept may also be extended to an ion source apparatus having a single ion source with an ion lens mounted relative thereto. The present invention also provides a method for controlling the operation of the aforementioned apparatus. The invention further provides an apparatus and a method for the generation of ion pulses.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having an elongated rod set, and a method of operating same. The rod set has an entrance end, an exit end and a longitudinal axis. Ions are admitted into the entrance end of the rod set. At least some of the ions are trapped in the rod set by producing a barrier field at an exit member adjacent to the exit end of the rod set and by producing an RF field between the rods of the rod set adjacent at least the exit end of the rod set. The RF and barrier fields interact in an extraction region adjacent to the exit end of the rod set to produce a fringing field. Ions in the extraction region are energized to mass selectively eject at least some ions of a selected mass to charge ratio axially from the rod set past the barrier field. The RF field is a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field having a quadrupole harmonic with amplitude A2, an octopole harmonic with amplitude A4, and a hexadecapole harmonic with amplitude A8. A8 is less than A4, and A4 is greater than 0.1% of A2.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting cheque fraud includes a cheque scanning module and a detection module. The cheque scanning module scans cheques and matches the encoded Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) data (i.e. serial number, Customer Account Number and amount) from the scanned digital electronic images with items in an issuance database which contains client provided cheque particulars. The detection module passes the cheque images through an optical character recognition (OCR) process to read what is written on the cheque and to match results against the issuance database. If the written information on the face of a cheque is unreadable or there is no match with the information in the issuance database, the detection module passes the cheque through a series of slower more precise OCR processes. Any cheques that are not successfully read and matched are highlighted as an “exception” and immediately forwarded to the client for further action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating ions using a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field, and a method of manufacturing an apparatus for manipulating ions using a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field are described. The field has a quadrupole harmonic with amplitude A2, an octopole harmonic with amplitude A4, and higher order harmonics with amplitudes A6 and A8. The amplitude A8 is less than A4. The A4 component of the field is selected to improve the performance of the field with respect to ion selection and ion fragmentation. The selected A4 component can be added by selecting a degree of asymmetry under a 90° rotation about a central axis of the quadrupole. The degree of asymmetry is selected to be sufficient to provide the selected A4 component.

Abstract: An ion lens is used to focus ions produced by various types of ion sources which are substantially at atmospheric pressure. The ions are focused to the inlet of a downstream mass spectrometer or other devices which require a larger and more stable ion flux for improved performance. The ion lens is mounted in close proximity to the sprayer tip. The ion lens increases the total ion count rate summed over all of the generated ions. The ion lens may also be employed to vary the degree of ion fragmentation and the charge state pattern of the generated ions. The ion lens may also result in a more stable ion signal. Furthermore, more than one ion lens may be used. This invention may also be extended to multisprayer ion sources.

Abstract: A method is provided of operating a mass spectrometer apparatus comprising a pair of quadrupole rod sets. Each quadrupole rod set is operated in a mass resolving mode. They may be operated in the same or different stability regions. The rod sets are operated to select essentially ions of the same mass to charge ratio, and are operated such that the combined resolution of the two rod sets is greater than the resolution of either rod set. The rod sets can be operated at relatively low resolution, with the combined peak shape from the two rod sets showing high resolution. This can make up for mechanical imperfections in the rod sets, losses due to high gas pressures, etc. A mass shift can be provided to give the desired resolution. The rod sets can be close coupled, and for this purpose neutralizing capacitors can be provided to prevent electrical interference between adjacent rod sets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining rates and mechanisms of reactions in solution. The method comprises mixing reactants together and then passing the reactants, after mixing, to an electrospray or other ion source. The apparatus is configured so that the reaction time can be determined. This can either be by way of a capillary of known length and volume extending from a reaction tee or other mixing device, so that the reaction time can be determined from the capillary volume and flow rate, and/or by way of a container of fixed volume from which the reactants pass. From the ion source, ions pass into a mass spectrometer, where a mass spectrum is measured. By varying the reaction time, and measuring the different mass spectra, the rate of reaction can be determined.

Abstract: A method of analyzing an analyte contained in a plasma, in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A sample of the plasma is drawn through an orifice in a sampler, then skimmed in a skimmer orifice, and the skimmed sample is directed at supersonic velocity onto a blunt reducer having a small orifice therein, forming a shock wave on the reducer. Gas in the shock wave is sampled through an offset aperture in the reducer into a vacuum chamber containing ion optics and a mass spectrometer. This reduces space charge effects, thus reducing mass bias and also reducing the mass dependency of matrix effects. Since the region between the skimmer and the reducer can operate at about 0.1 Torr, which is the same pressure as that produced by the roughing pump which backs the high vacuum pump for the vacuum chamber, a single common pump can be used for both purposes, thus reducing the hardware needed.

Abstract: A method of analyzing an analyte contained in a plasma, in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A sample of the plasma is drawn through an orifice in a sampler. The sample is then skimmed in a skimmer orifice, and the skimmed sample is directed at supersonic velocity onto a blunt reducer having a small orifice therein, forming a shock wave on the reducer. Gas in the shock wave is sampled through an offset aperture in the reducer into a vacuum chamber containing ion optics and a mass spectrometer. Because the gas sampled through the skimmer and reducer orifices is substantially neutral (ions and free electrons are in close proximity), and also because the reducer orifice is very small, space charge effects are reduced, thus reducing mass bias and also reducing the mass dependency of matrix effects. Separation of ions from free electrons and focusing of ions into the mass spectrometer largely occurs in and downstream of the ion optics in the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A two dimensional RF multipole field formed by a set of parallel rods, e.g. quadrupole rods, serves as an inlet for an ion trap. The field both accepts and stores ions for the trap, and rejects unwanted ions, while the trap is performing an analysis. This greatly increases the duty cycle of the overall system, increasing the system sensitivity.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer system, ions travel through an orifice in an inlet plate into a first vacuum chamber containing AC-only rods, and then through an orifice into a second vacuum chamber containing a standard quadrupole. The second vacuum chamber is held at low pressure, e.g. 0.02 millitorr or less, but the product of the pressure in the first chamber times the length of the AC-only rods is held above 2.25.times.10.sup.-2 torr cm, preferably between 6.times.10.sup.-2 and 15.times.10.sup.-2 torr cm, and the DC voltage between the inlet plate and the AC-only rods is kept low, e.g. between 1 and 30 volts, preferably between 1 and 10 volts. This produces a large enhancement in ion signal, with less focussing aberration and better sensitivity at high masses, and also allows the use of smaller, cheaper pumps so the system can be more easily transportable.