Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of elongate first electrodes and second electrodes arranged along an ion path in an alternating pattern. The first electrodes are configured to receive first RF voltages and the second electrodes are configured to receive second RF voltages that are phase-shifted with respect to the first RF voltages. At least an outer edge portion of each of the first electrodes and second electrodes is arranged at an angle oblique to both the ion path and a direction perpendicular to the ion path. When the first electrodes receive first RF voltages and the second electrodes receive second RF voltages, the first electrodes and the second electrodes exert a force having a first component along the ion path to guide ions along the ion path and a second component along the direction perpendicular to the ion path to confine ions within the ion path.

Abstract: Ion guides comprise an inlet region for receiving a packet of ions; a first outlet region for ejecting ions; a second outlet region for ejecting ions; and a beam splitting electrode arranged to direct a first portion of the packet of ions towards the first outlet region and a second portion of the packet of ions towards the second outlet region.

Abstract: Methods of mass spectrometry comprise, for each of a plurality of sub-ranges selected from an overall m/z range, injecting a sample of precursor ions into a first ion store via an entrance aperture region, the precursor ions having m/z values within the sub-range; retaining a first portion of the sample of precursor ions within the first ion store; and ejecting a second portion of the sample of precursor ions from the first ion store via an outlet region.

Abstract: Methods of mass spectrometry comprise, for each of a plurality of sub-ranges in an overall m/z range, configuring an ion beam switch to direct ions towards a first ion store; accumulating in the first ion store a sample of precursor ions to be analysed, the precursor ions having m/z values within the sub-range. The ion beam can be configured to direct ions towards a first mass analyser and inject a sample of fragmented precursor ions into the first mass analyser, wherein the sample of fragmented precursor ions is formed from fragmentation of precursor ions having m/z values within the sub-range. Alternatively, the ion beam directs ions towards a second ion store and the second ion store accumulates a sample of fragmented precursor ions for analysis in a first mass analyser, wherein the fragmented precursor ions are formed from fragmentation of precursor ions having m/z values within the sub-range.

Abstract: An ion guide comprises an entrance for admission of ions into the ion guide, wherein the admitted ions are directed along a first axis. The ion guide also comprises a confinement device comprising an array of radio frequency (RF) electrodes formed along a first surface and configured to provide an RF field for confinement of the admitted ions. The ion guide also comprises a first direct current (DC) electrode configured to receive a DC potential and thereby provide a force on the admitted ions having a component in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The first DC electrode has a surface that is oblique to the first and second axes.

Abstract: A multi-reflection time-of-flight (MR-ToF) mass analyser comprises two opposing ion mirrors spaced apart in a first direction, each mirror elongated generally along a drift direction between a first end and a second end, the drift direction being orthogonal to the first direction. An ion injector injects ions into a space between the ion mirrors, and the ions are detected after a plurality of reflections between the ion mirrors. A first deflector and/or a lens is between the ion mirrors, proximate the first end of the ion mirrors, a second deflector and/or lens is arranged between the ion mirrors proximate the second end of the ion mirrors or between the first and second ends of the ion mirrors. One or more trapping deflector(s) and/or lens(es) are between the ion mirrors, proximate the second end of the ion mirrors or between the first and second ends of the ion mirrors.

Abstract: A method for correcting mass spectral data obtained for a sample is described, where the mass spectral data is a time-of-flight mass spectral data. The method includes receiving mass spectral data obtained from a sample, the mass spectral data being indicative of an ion abundance. The method further includes applying a correction function to the mass spectral data based on the ion abundance indicated by the mass spectral data and on one or more trapping parameters associated with the mass spectral data. The correction function defines correction values for the mass spectral data for a range of ion abundances and for a range of trapping parameters.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry system is configured to perform MSn mass spectrometry, where n is greater than or equal to 3. The mass spectrometry system comprises: a first mass filter having a first maximum resolution; a first fragmentation device downstream of the first mass filter and configured to fragment ions received from the first mass filter; a second mass filter downstream of the first fragmentation device, the second mass filter having a second maximum resolution that is lower than the first maximum resolution; a second fragmentation device downstream of the second mass filter; and a first mass analyser downstream of the second fragmentation device.

Abstract: Ions are guided along an ion channel. A plurality of electrodes are arranged on a surface of an ion guide and apply a time-varying potential to repel the ions from the surface. A counter electrode arrangement comprises a main counter electrode portion and has an opening extending along the counter electrode arrangement. The counter electrode arrangement applies a direct current (DC) counter potential to force the ions towards the surface. The time-varying potential and the DC counter potential together confine the ions in the ion guide. The counter electrode arrangement applies a stronger DC counter potential in a region adjacent to the main counter electrode portion than in a region adjacent to the opening, thereby confining the ions in an ion channel corresponding to the opening.

Abstract: Ions are separated according to their mass-to-charge ratios. A separation region receives the ions, extending in a first direction and a second direction that is different to the first direction. An electrode arrangement confines the ions in the separation region. The electrode arrangement is configured to apply a time-varying potential in the separation region to cause the ions to move in the first direction and configured to apply a potential gradient in the separation region, the potential gradient opposing the time-10 varying potential, such that the ions are separated at different positions in the first direction according to the mass-to-charge ratios of the ions. A force is applied in the second direction to the ions to cause the ions to move in the second direction.

Abstract: A multi-reflection time of flight mass spectrometer comprises a mass analyser with opposing mirror electrodes and a focal plane correction electrode. Each mirror electrode is elongated generally along a drift direction. The focal plane correction electrode extends along at least a portion of the drift direction in or adjacent the space between the mirror electrodes. Ions are injected into the mirror electrodes and an electrical potential provided to the mirror electrodes reflects the ions in the resulting ion beam and causes the ions to follow a zig zag path as they drift along the mirror electrodes. An electrical potential is also provided to the focal plane correction electrode to set the focal plane position of the ion beam to coincide with a detector surface of an ion detector placed at the end of the ions' path.

Abstract: A dual analyser mass spectrometer obtains MS1/MS2 scans of positive and negative ions by: operating an ion source and processing region at a first polarity; performing, by a first mass analyser (FMA) at the first polarity, MS1 or MS2 scan(s); switching polarity of the FMA to a second polarity; performing, by a second mass analyser (SMA) at the first polarity, MS1 or MS2 scan(s), wherein at least part of the MS1 or MS2 scan(s) performed by the SMA is performed while the FMA is switching polarity. Alternatively, the FMA may be operated at a first polarity and the SMA at a second polarity opposite to the first, and after initiating at least one MS1 scan and/or MS2 scan by the FMA, switching the polarity of the source and ion processing region to a second polarity and performing at least one MS1 scan and/or MS2 scan with the SMA.

Abstract: An ion guide may comprise a set of plate electrodes, each plate electrode having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. The set of plate electrodes are spatially arranged such that a relative positioning of each plurality of apertures of a respective plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes and respective adjacent plate electrodes of the set of plate electrodes defines a continuous ion flight path through the respective plurality of apertures of each plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes. The continuous ion flight path has a helical-based and/or spiral-based shape.

Abstract: A first analytical instrument is configured to be controlled according to one or more first operating parameters; and controlling the configured first analytical instrument based on an estimated ion current obtained by: selecting at least one signal from stored data comprising a plurality of signals and a respective one or more second operating parameters associated with each of the plurality of signals, wherein each signal of the plurality of signals is representative of an ion current obtained using the first analytical instrument configured according to the respective associated one or more second operating parameters or using a second analytical instrument configured according to the respective associated one or more second operating parameters, and wherein the at least one signal is selected based on the one or more first operating parameters; and using the at least one selected signal to estimate the ion current.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a time-of-flight (ToF) mass analyser comprises an ion injection device and an ion mirror comprising a plurality of electrodes, comprising: applying a plurality of acceleration voltages to cause ions to exit the ion injection device; at each ion energy, measuring the resolving power of the mass analyser with a plurality of sets of electrode voltages applied to the electrodes by varying a first tuning parameter to a respective plurality of values, wherein the first tuning parameter parameterises the electrode voltages applied to the plurality of electrodes; determining maximising values of the first tuning parameter; identifying a point of inflection in the dependence of the maximising values of the first tuning parameter; determining a set of calibrated operating parameters for the massanalyser based on the point of inflection; and causing the mass analyser to operate with the calibrated operating parameters.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is provided. The method comprises performing the following steps for each of a plurality of sub-ranges selected from an overall m/z range: accumulating in an ion store a sample of precursor ions to be analysed, the precursor ions having m/z values within the sub-range; accumulating in the ion store a sample of fragmented precursor ions to be analysed, the fragmented precursor ions being formed from fragmentation of precursor ions having m/z values within the sub-range; and simultaneously analysing the combined samples of the precursor ions and the fragmented precursor ions in a mass analyser.

Abstract: A method of operating a multipole device comprises sorting a list of mass-to-charge ratios that are assigned to one of first and second polarity configurations to be applied between first and second pairs of opposing electrodes, the first polarity configuration being a first polarity DC offset and the second polarity configuration being a second, opposite polarity DC offset; and based on the sorting, operating the multipole device for a first time duration according to the first polarity configuration to select ions having mass-to-charge ratios from the list that are assigned to the first polarity configuration and operating the multipole device for a second, distinct time duration according to the second polarity configuration to select ions having mass-to-charge ratios from the list that are assigned to the second polarity configuration.

Abstract: A multi-reflection time of flight mass spectrometer comprises two ion-optical mirrors elongated along a drift (Y) direction and separated in the Z direction and tilted so that their separation in the Z direction decreases with distance along the Y direction. Correction electrodes extend along the Y direction in or adjacent the space between the mirrors. Each correction electrode has a surface parallel to the Y-Z plane shaped such that its separation from one of the mirrors varies along the Y direction. The correction electrodes are biased to produce a combined voltage offset which varies as a function of distance along the Y direction. A first component corrects for an intended aberration arising from the mirror tilt and a second component to correct for unintended aberrations arising from perturbations to the ideal time of flight extending from maximum to minimum perturbations.

Abstract: There is described a multi-reflection time-of-flight (MR-ToF) mass analyser for a mass spectrometer, comprising a first and second mirror electrodes respectively configured to operate at a first polarity and at a second polarity. The mass analyser is configured for polarity switching and further comprises: a first regulator coupled to one or more first HV switches and configured to provide an electric potential to the first mirror electrode; and one or more second regulators each coupled to one or more second HV switches, each of the one or more second regulators configured to provide an electric potential to a respective second mirror electrode. The first and second HV switches are configured to swap the polarity supplied to the first regulator and the one or more second regulators.

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a Time of Flight (TOF) mass analyser comprise performing a plurality of calibration analyses of calibrant ions using the TOF mass analyser, each calibration analysis measuring flight times of the calibrant ions. The TOF mass analyser has an associated instrument parameter which effects the flight times of the calibrant ions. Each calibration analysis also comprises determining a reference calibration curve based on known mass to charge ratios of the calibrant ions and the respective flight times, wherein the reference calibration curve is associated with the instrument parameter for the respective calibration analysis. For each calibration analysis, a value of the instrument parameter of the TOF mass analyser is different. A calibration curve for use in a TOF mass analysis performed by the TOF mass analyser can be determined based on the plurality of reference calibration curves and the instrument parameter.