Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising repeatedly or continuously causing first analyte sample to be released or ejected from a first sample. A determination is made as to whether or not a quality threshold such as an intensity threshold has been met or exceeded, wherein if the quality threshold has been met or exceeded then the method further comprises repeatedly or continuously causing second analyte sample to be released or ejected from a second sample.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ionisation source comprising: an ionisation chamber, comprising an inlet for receiving at least the distal end of a capillary into the ionisation chamber in use; a desolvation heater including a heating element, for directing a stream of heated gas onto the distal end of the capillary in use; a corona discharge device arranged in the ionisation chamber; and a control system configured to operate the source in a selected one of: an analytical mode, in which the heating element is heated to a first temperature within a first temperature range, and in which a first current within a first current range is supplied to the corona discharge device; and a capillary priming mode, in which the heating element is heated to a second temperature within a second temperature range, and in which a second current within a second current range is supplied to the corona discharge device, wherein the lower limit of the second temperature range is higher than the lower limit of the first temperature range,

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising repeatedly or continuously causing first analyte sample to be released or ejected from a first sample. A determination is made as to whether or not a quality threshold such as an intensity threshold has been met or exceeded, wherein if the quality threshold has been met or exceeded then the method further comprises repeatedly or continuously causing second analyte sample to be released or ejected from a second sample.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a gas chromatography separation device, an atmospheric pressure ionization ion source and a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to operate the atmospheric pressure ionization ion source at one or more first settings for a first period of time while one or more solvents elute from the gas chromatography separation device during a solvent front; and then (ii) to operate the atmospheric pressure ionization ion source at one or more second different settings for a second subsequent period of time while one or more analytes elute from the gas chromatography separation device.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed wherein the intensity of an analyte is determined by determining the intensity of first characteristic fragment ions when the intensity of the first characteristic fragment ions is within a first intensity range corresponding to the detection or unsaturated range of an ion detector. However, when the intensity of the first characteristic fragment ions is outside of the first intensity range so that the ion detector would saturate then the intensity of the analyte is determined by determining the intensity of second different characteristic fragment ions.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a gas chromatography separation device, an atmospheric pressure ionisation ion source and a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to operate the atmospheric pressure ionisation ion source at one or more first settings for a first period of time whilst one or more solvents elute from the gas chromatography separation device during a solvent front; and then (ii) to operate the atmospheric pressure ionisation ion source at one or more second different settings for a second subsequent period of time whilst one or more analytes elute from the gas chromatography separation device.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed wherein the intensity of an analyte is determined by determining the intensity of first characteristic fragment ions when the intensity of the first characteristic fragment ions is within a first intensity range corresponding to the detection or unsaturated range of an ion detector. However, when the intensity of the first characteristic fragment ions is outside of the first intensity range so that the ion detector would saturate then the intensity of the analyte is determined by determining the intensity of second different characteristic fragment ions.

Abstract: A magnetic sector mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion detector (11) wherein a reflecting electrode (13) is used to divide an ion beam in the direction of mass dispersion into two separate ion beams. The two ion beams are directed onto two detectors which preferably comprise two or more conversion dynodes (15a, 15b) and two or more corresponding microchannel plate detectors (14a, 14b) to detect electrons produced by the conversion dynodes (15a, 15b). If the signal from the two detectors differs substantially then the ion beam can be determined to include interference ions. Conversely, if the signal from the two detectors is substantially the same then the ion beam can be determined to be substantially free from interference ions.

Abstract: A magnetic sector mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion detector (11) wherein a reflecting electrode (13) is used to divide an ion beam in the direction of mass dispersion into two separate ion beams. The two ion beams are directed onto two detectors which preferably comprise two or more conversion dynodes (15a, 15b) and two or more corresponding microchannel plate detectors (14a, 14b) to detect electrons produced by the conversion dynodes (15a, 15b). If the signal from the two detectors differs substantially then the ion beam can be determined to include interference ions. Conversely, if the signal from the two detectors is substantially the same then the ion beam can be determined to be substantially free from interference ions.