Abstract: This invention relates to a mass spectrometer including a reaction cell and to a method of using such a mass spectrometer. In particular, although not exclusively, this invention relates to a tandem mass spectrometer and to tandem mass spectrometry. The invention provides a method of mass spectrometry using a mass spectrometer having a longitudinal axis, comprising guiding ions to travel along the longitudinal axis of the mass spectrometer in a forwards direction to pass through an intermediate ion store and then to enter a reaction cell, to process the ions within the reaction cell, to eject the processed ions to travel back along the longitudinal axis to enter the intermediate ion store once more, and to eject one or more pulses of the processed ions in an off-axis direction to a mass analyser.

Abstract: An electrostatic trap such as an orbitrap is disclosed, with an electrode structure. An electrostatic trapping field of the form U?(r,?,z) is generated to trap ions within the trap so that they undergo isochronous oscillations. The trapping field U?(r, ?,z) is the result of a perturbation W to an ideal field U(r, ?,z) which, for example, is hyperlogarithmic in the case of an orbitrap. The perturbation W may be introduced in various ways, such as by distorting the geometry of the trap so that it no longer follows an equipotential of the ideal field U(r, ?,z), or by adding a distortion field (either electric or magnetic). The magnitude of the perturbation is such that at least some of the trapped ions have an absolute phase spread of more than zero but less than about 2? radians over an ion detection period Tm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for ion fragmentation by electron capture. The present invention provides a method of generating fragment ions by electron capture, comprising; directing ions to be fragmented into a fragmentation chamber of a mass spectrometer into a fragmentation chamber of a mass spectrometer arrangement; trapping at least some of the ions to be fragmented in at least one direction of the fragmentation chamber by using a magnetic field, the ions being trapped within a volume V; generating an electron beam using an electron source located away from the volume V; irradiating the trapped ions in the volume V with the electrons generated by the electron source in the presence of the said magnetic field, so as to cause dissociation; and ejecting the resultant fragment ions from the fragmentation chamber for subsequent analysis at a different location away from the fragmentation chamber.

Abstract: An electrostatic trap such as an orbitrap is disclosed, with an electrode structure. An electrostatic trapping field of the form U?(r,?,z) is generated to trap ions within the trap so that they undergo isochronous oscillations. The trapping field U?(r, ?,z) is the result of a perturbation W to an ideal field U(r, ?,z) which, for example, is hyperlogarithmic in the case of an orbitrap. The perturbation W may be introduced in various ways, such as by distorting the geometry of the trap so that it no longer follows an equipotential of the ideal field U(r, ?,z), or by adding a distortion field (either electric or magnetic). The magnitude of the perturbation is such that at least some of the trapped ions have an absolute phase spread of more than zero but less than about 2? radians over an ion detection period Tm.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mass spectrometer including a reaction cell and to a method of using such a mass spectrometer. In particular, although not exclusively, this invention relates to a tandem mass spectrometer and to tandem mass spectrometry. The invention provides a method of mass spectrometry using a mass spectrometer having a longitudinal axis, comprising guiding ions to travel along the longitudinal axis of the mass spectrometer in a forwards direction to pass through an intermediate ion store and then to enter a reaction cell, to process the ions within the reaction cell, to eject the processed ions to travel back along the longitudinal axis to enter the intermediate ion store once more, and to eject one or more pulses of the processed ions in an off-axis direction to a mass analyser.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of trapping ions and to an ion trapping assembly. In particular, the present invention has application in gas-assisted trapping of ions in an ion trap prior to a mass analysis of the ions in a mass spectrometer. The invention provides a method of trapping ions in a target ion trap of an ion trapping assembly that comprises a series of volumes arranged such that ions can traverse from one volume to the next, the volumes including the target ion trap, whereby ions are allowed to pass repeatedly through the volumes such that they also pass into and out from the target ion trap without being trapped. Potentials may be used to reflect the ions from respective ends of the ion trapping assembly. Optionally, a potential well and/or gas-assisted cooling may be used to cause the ions to settle in the target ion trap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for ion fragmentation by electron capture. The present invention provides a method of generating fragment ions by electron capture, comprising; directing ions to be fragmented into a fragmentation chamber of a mass spectrometer into a fragmentation chamber of a mass spectrometer arrangement; trapping at least some of the ions to be fragmented in at least one direction of the fragmentation chamber by using a magnetic field, the ions being trapped within a volume V; generating an electron beam using an electron source located away from the volume V; irradiating the trapped ions in the volume V with the electrons generated by the electron source in the presence of the said magnetic field, so as to cause dissociation; and ejecting the resultant fragment ions from the fragmentation chamber for subsequent analysis at a different location away from the fragmentation chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the measurement of ions by coupling different measurement methods/techniques, a first detector being a collector (17) and a second detector being an SEM (18), and the ions to be measured or resulting secondary particles being selectively delivered to the collector or the SEM. The SEM (18) is operated selectively in analog mode or count mode. The collector (17) is provided with an integrator.

Abstract: The invention concerns autoreactive peptides, peptide-MHC complexes, T cell subpopulations that react thereto as well as diagnostic and therapeutic applications of these compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the measurement of ions by coupling different measurement methods/techniques, a first detector being a collector (17) and a second detector being an SEM (18), and the ions to be measured or resulting secondary particles being selectively delivered to the collector or the SEM. The SEM (18) is operated selectively in analog mode or count mode. The collector (17) is provided with an integrator.

Abstract: The invention concerns autoreactive peptides, peptide-MHC complexes, T cell subpopulations that react thereto as well as diagnostic and therapeutic applications of these compounds.

Abstract: A procedure and a system for the evaluation of the quality and/or efficiency of a cable or a cable segment by a current measurement is disclosed. This is achieved by supplying between the core and the screen of a cable a voltage with alternating polarity and rectangular shape. The periodic duration' of this voltage is selected in a way so as to permit the current measurement of the charge current shortly before a polarity reversal, providing a current value equal to the leakage current.

Abstract: A procedure and a system for the evaluation of the quality and/or efficiency of a cable or a cable segment by a current measurement is disclosed. This is achieved by supplying between the core and the screen of a cable a voltage with alternating polarity and rectangular shape. The periodic duration' of this voltage is selected in a way so as to permit the current measurement of the charge current shortly before a polarity reversal, providing a current value equal to the leakage current.

Abstract: A procedure and a system for the evaluation of the quality and/or efficiency of a cable or a cable segment by a current measurement is disclosed. This is achieved by supplying between the core and the screen of a cable a voltage with alternating polarity and rectangular shape. The periodic duration' of this voltage is selected in a way so as to permit the current measurement of the charge current shortly before a polarity reversal, providing a current value equal to the leakage current.

Abstract: Novel HCV peptide antigens are described representing partial sequences of the C-100-3 and env/core with C-regions. These peptide antigens are suitable for the determination of HCV antibodies as immunogens for the production of antibodies against HCV and as vaccines for the production of vaccines against HCV.

Abstract: Novel HCV peptide antigens are described representing partial sequences of the C-100-3 and env/core with C-regions. These peptide antigens are suitable for the determination of HCV antibodies as immunogens for the production of antibodies against HCV and as vaccines for the production of vaccines against HCV.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for typing antibodies in a sample liquid by means of type-specific antigens and in particular a method for typing antibodies to the hepatitis C virus and peptide antigens suitable for this.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for typing antibodies in a sample liquid by means of type-specific antigens and in particular a method for typing antibodies to the hepatitis C virus and peptide antigens suitable for this.

Abstract: the invention concerns autoreactive peptides, peptide MHC complexes, t cell subpopulations which react therewith as well as diagnostic and therapeutic applications of these compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor and evaluation system for capturing data at a measuring station (3), in particular for use in double sensors for determining end positions and limit values. The individual sensors (1, 1′, 2, 2′, 16, 16′) are operated as sensor pairs (1″, 2″, 16″) by a largely shared control circuit consisting of two connecting lines (5, 6) with an electric current or voltage of alternate polarity. A state of a sensor (1, 1′, 2, 2′, 16, 16′) is transmitted on the corresponding half-wave of the sensor current and evaluated by a switching amplifier (13) in relation to polarity and amplitude. Said sensor and evaluation system reduces the number of connecting lines required. In addition, interference from neighboring sensors is largely excluded, so that sensors can be mounted more closely together in a system. Said sensor and evaluation system is especially suited for equipment required to comply with the DIN 19234 (NAMUR) standard.