Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning electrodes of an ion optical multipole device comprises at least one substantially longitudinal cleaning section, at least one handling section extending axially from the at least one cleaning section and at least one direction section extending axially from the at least one cleaning section. The at least one cleaning section has a larger cross section than the at least one handling section. The at least one direction section is capable of allowing a longitudinal movement of the cleaning device in a first axial direction and resisting a longitudinal movement of the cleaning device in a second, opposite axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode arrangement 10, 10? for an ion trap, ion filter, an ion guide, a reaction cell or an ion analyser. The electrode arrangement 10, 10? comprises an RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? mechanically coupled to a dielectric material 11. The RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? is mechanically coupled to the dielectric material 11 by a plurality of separators 13 that are spaced apart and configured to define a gap between the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? and the dielectric material 11. Each of the plurality of separators 13 comprises a projecting portion 13b and the dielectric material 11 comprises corresponding receiving portions 11a such that on coupling of the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? to the dielectric material 11, the projecting portion 13b of each separator 13 is received within the corresponding receiving portion 11a of the dielectric material 11.

Abstract: An interface for receiving ions in a carrier gas from an atmospheric pressure ion source at a spectrometer that is configured to analyse the received ions at a lower pressure includes an interface vacuum chamber having a downstream aperture; a support assembly defining an axial bore arranged to allow a removable capillary tube to extend therethrough; ions being received from the atmospheric pressure ion source through the capillary tube and directed towards the downstream aperture; and a jet disruptor, positioned downstream from the axial bore and configured to disrupt gas flow between the axial bore and the downstream aperture only when the capillary tube is not fully inserted through the axial bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode arrangement 10, 10? for an ion trap, ion filter, an ion guide, a reaction cell or an ion analyser. The electrode arrangement 10, 10? comprises an RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? mechanically coupled to a dielectric material 11. The RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? is mechanically coupled to the dielectric material 11 by a plurality of separators 13 that are spaced apart and configured to define a gap between the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? and the dielectric material 11. Each of the plurality of separators 13 comprises a projecting portion 13b and the dielectric material 11 comprises corresponding receiving portions 11a such that on coupling of the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? to the dielectric material 11, the projecting portion 13b of each separator 13 is received within the corresponding receiving portion 11a of the dielectric material 11.

Abstract: A method for controlling the filling of an ion trap with a predetermined quantity of ions. The method comprises generating an ion current by transmitting ions along an ion path to an ion trap, such that ions are accumulated in the ion trap over a transmission time period, wherein the magnitude of the ion current varies in time. The method further comprises detecting at an ion detector at least some ions from the source of ions during a plurality of distinct sampling time intervals interspersed within the transmission time period, and setting the duration of the transmission time period based on the detection of ions at the ion detector. The time difference between the start of a sampling time interval and the start of an immediately subsequent sampling time interval is less than a timescale for variation of the magnitude of the ion current. A controller for controlling the filling of an ion trap with a predetermined quantity of ions and a mass spectrometer comprising the controller is also described.

Abstract: A method of operating a mass spectrometer, comprising: generating ions from a sample; mass filtering the ions using a quadrupole mass filter having a set of selection parameters to transmit ions within at least one selected range of mass-to-charge ratios narrower than an initial range, wherein the quadrupole comprises four parallel elongate electrodes arranged in opposing pairs to which are applied RF and DC, wherein an attractive DC voltage is applied to one pair of opposing electrodes and a repulsive DC voltage is applied to the other pair; mass analysing or detecting the ions transmitted by the quadrupole mass filter; repeating the steps of generating ions, mass filtering and mass analysing or detecting multiple times; switching a configuration of the pairs of opposing electrodes to which the attractive DC voltage and the repulsive DC voltage are applied multiple times over the course of repeating the steps so that over long term operation the build-up of contamination on each pair of opposing electrodes i

Abstract: An interface for receiving ions in a carrier gas from an atmospheric pressure ion source at a spectrometer that is configured to analyse the received ions at a lower pressure includes an interface vacuum chamber having a downstream aperture; a support assembly defining an axial bore arranged to allow a removable capillary tube to extend therethrough; ions being received from the atmospheric pressure ion source through the capillary tube and directed towards the downstream aperture; and a jet disruptor, positioned downstream from the axial bore and configured to disrupt gas flow between the axial bore and the downstream aperture only when the capillary tube is not fully inserted through the axial bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mass spectrometer comprising a first ion trap, a second ion trap, a lens stack for directing ions from the first ion trap to the second ion trap and a housing. The first ion trap is arranged to form a linear or curved potential well and the second ion trap is an electrostatic ion trap, for example, an orbital ion trap, arranged to form an annular potential well. The mass spectrometer further comprises a unitary insert comprising a first cavity which holds the lens stack and a second cavity which holds the second ion trap, wherein the insert is inserted within the housing.

Abstract: An ion trap 1 comprises one ejection electrode 2 for ion trapping having an opening 4, through which ions in the ion trap 1 can be ejected in an ejection direction E and further electrodes 3 for ion trapping, wherein the ejection electrode 2 and the further electrodes 3 are elongated in a longitudinal direction L. The angle ? between the longitudinal direction L and the ejection direction E is nearly 90°. The ion trap 1 comprises a primary winding 5 connected to an RF power supply 6, a secondary winding 7 coupling with the primary winding 5 for transforming the RF voltage of the RF power supply 6 supplying the transformed RF signals to the ejection electrode 2 and secondary windings 7? coupling with the primary winding 5 for transforming the RF voltage of the RF power supply 6 supplying the transformed RF signals to the further electrodes 3.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning electrodes of an ion optical multipole device comprises at least one substantially longitudinal cleaning section, at least one handling section extending axially from the at least one cleaning section and at least one direction section extending axially from the at least one cleaning section. The at least one cleaning section has a larger cross section than the at least one handling section.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode arrangement 10, 10? for an ion trap, ion filter, an ion guide, a reaction cell or an ion analyser. The electrode arrangement 10, 10? comprises an RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? mechanically coupled to a dielectric material 11 . The RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? is mechanically coupled to the dielectric material 11 by a plurality of separators 13 that are spaced apart and configured to define a gap between the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? and the dielectric material 11. Each of the plurality of separators 13 comprises a projecting portion 13b and the dielectric material 11 comprises corresponding receiving portions 11a such that on coupling of the RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a?, 12b? to the dielectric material 11, the projecting portion 13b of each separator 13 is received within the corresponding receiving portion 11a of the dielectric material 11.

Abstract: A method for controlling the filling of an ion trap with a predetermined quantity of ions. The method comprises generating an ion current by transmitting ions along an ion path to an ion trap, such that ions are accumulated in the ion trap over a transmission time period, wherein the magnitude of the ion current varies in time. The method further comprises detecting at an ion detector at least some ions from the source of ions during a plurality of distinct sampling time intervals interspersed within the transmission time period, and setting the duration of the transmission time period based on the detection of ions at the ion detector. The time difference between the start of a sampling time interval and the start of an immediately subsequent sampling time interval is less than a timescale for variation of the magnitude of the ion current. A controller for controlling the filling of an ion trap with a predetermined quantity of ions and a mass spectrometer comprising the controller is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ion supply system, having an ion source emitting ions into a fore vacuum chamber, an ion transport device having stacked electrodes arranged in the fore vacuum chamber, a control system supplying an oscillatory voltage to the electrodes of the ion transport device and a vacuum chamber, arranged downstream from the ion transport device. A vacuum gauge is arranged in the vacuum chamber. The pressure signal of the vacuum gauge is supplied to the control system supplying the oscillatory voltage to electrodes of the ion transport device. The control system adjusts the amplitude of the oscillatory voltage in accordance with the pressure signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a mass spectrometer, comprising: generating ions from a sample; mass filtering the ions using a quadrupole mass filter having a set of selection parameters to transmit ions within at least one selected range of mass-to-charge ratios narrower than an initial range, wherein the quadrupole comprises four parallel elongate electrodes arranged in opposing pairs to which are applied RF and DC, wherein an attractive DC voltage is applied to one pair of opposing electrodes and a repulsive DC voltage is applied to the other pair; mass analysing or detecting the ions transmitted by the quadrupole mass filter; repeating the steps of generating ions, mass filtering and mass analysing or detecting multiple times; switching a configuration of the pairs of opposing electrodes to which the attractive DC voltage and the repulsive DC voltage are applied multiple times over the course of repeating the steps so that over long term operation the build-up of contamination on each pair of opposing electrodes i

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ion supply system, having an ion source emitting ions into a fore vacuum chamber, an ion transport device having stacked electrodes arranged in the fore vacuum chamber, a control system supplying an oscillatory voltage to the electrodes of the ion transport device and a vacuum chamber, arranged downstream from the ion transport device. A vacuum gauge is arranged in the vacuum chamber. The pressure signal of the vacuum gauge is supplied to the control system supplying the oscillatory voltage to electrodes of the ion transport device. The control system adjusts the amplitude of the oscillatory voltage in accordance with the pressure signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency multipole assembly includes first and second printed circuit boards. Each printed circuit board includes a substrate, at least two rows of conductive pads, and a plurality of tiles affixed to the conductive pads to form at least two radio frequency rods of a radio frequency multipole. The first and second printed circuit boards are arranged with the radio frequency rods towards each other and aligned to for the radio frequency multipole.

Abstract: A method of mass analysis and a mass spectrometer are provided wherein a batch of ions is accumulated in a mass analyzer; the batch of ions accumulated in the mass analyzer is detected using image current detection to provide a detected signal; the number of ions in the batch of ions accumulated in the mass analyzer is controlled using an algorithm based on a previous detected signal obtained using image current detection from a previous batch of ions accumulated in the mass analyzer; wherein one or more parameters of the algorithm are adjusted based on a measurement of ion current or charge obtained using an independent detector located outside of the mass analyzer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mass spectrometry method having steps of: transmitting ions from an ion source through a mass filter; processing ions received from the mass filter in a discontinuous ion optical device downstream of the mass filter; operating the mass filter for a plurality of periods in a mass/charge ratio (m/z) filtering mode to transmit ions in one or more selected ranges of m/z to the discontinuous ion optical device; and operating the mass filter in a broad mass range mode transmitting ions of a mass range substantially wider than any mass range transmitted in the m/z filtering mode during one or more periods in which the discontinuous ion optical device is not processing ions from the mass filter. Utilization of this method assists to reduce contamination in the mass filter.

Abstract: An ion guide for mass spectrometry comprising an electrode arrangement of at least two electrodes, at least one of which is an RF electrode, arranged adjacent to each other but spaced apart on a planar surface of a dielectric material and arranged at a distance from an ion flow path, wherein a portion of the dielectric surface is exposed between an adjacent pair of the spaced apart electrodes and wherein at least one electrode of said adjacent pair of electrodes is arranged to overhang the exposed portion of surface between them such that there is no direct line of sight from the ion flow path to the exposed portion of dielectric surface. The device enables RF guiding of ions accompanied by much reduced charging-up of dielectric surfaces and reduced amount of collisions of neutral species with electrodes.

Abstract: A method is proposed for assessing the vacuum conditions in a mass spectrometer (10) such as an ion cyclotron resonance or orbital trapping mass spectrometer. Such mass spectrometers generate a transient detection signal resulting from ions of one or species in an ion trap (80). The parameters of the trap and/or introduced ions are adjusted so as to cause the decay rate of the transient in respect of the ion species to be dominated by collisional effects. Typically this can be achieved by introducing ions into the trap (80) in quantities such that ion clouds of a particular ion species self bunch. The rate of decay of the transient signal in that case is determined and compared with one or more threshold decay rates. This in turn can provide an indication of vacuum conditions within the trap (80).