Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed having a mode comprising: providing a source of precursor ions and reagent ions for reacting with said precursor ions; providing a reaction region downstream of said source; providing an ion mobility separator between said source and said reaction region; providing a bypass cell between said source and said reaction region for guiding ions from said source to said reaction region without the ions passing through said ion mobility separator; guiding said precursor ions from said source, through said ion mobility separator so that said precursor ions separate according to their ion mobility and into said reaction region; and guiding said reagent ions from said source, through said bypass cell and into said reaction region; wherein the reagent ions react with the precursor ions within the reaction region to produce product ions.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising providing a flight region for ions to travel through and a detector or fragmentation device. A potential profile is maintained along the flight region such that ions travel towards the detector or fragmentation device. The potential at which a first length of the flight region is maintained is then changed from a first potential to a second potential while at least some ions are travelling within the first length of flight region. The changed potential provides a first potential difference at an exit of the length of flight region, through which the ions are accelerated as they leave the length of flight region. This increases the kinetic energy of the ions prior to them reaching the detector or fragmentation cell.

Abstract: An ion source for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a lens and mirror arrangement which focuses a laser beam onto the upper surface of a target substrate. The lens has an effective focal length ?300 mm. The laser beam is directed onto the target substrate at an angle ? with respect to the perpendicular to the target substrate, wherein ??3°. One or more ion guides receive ions released from the target substrate and onwardly transmit the ions along an ion path which substantially bypasses the lens and mirror.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising automatically and repeatedly performing multiple cycles of operation, wherein a cycle of operation comprises the steps of: (i) mass analyzing first ions; (ii) exposing the first ions to a first photo-dissociation device to form a plurality of second ions and mass analyzing the second ions; and (iii) exposing the first ions to a first photo-dissociation device to form a plurality of second ions, fragmenting the second ions to form a plurality of third ions and mass analyzing the third ions.

Abstract: An ion source for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a lens and mirror arrangement which focuses a laser beam onto the upper surface of a target substrate. The lens has an effective focal length?300 mm. The laser beam is directed onto the target substrate at an angle ? with respect to the perpendicular to the target substrate, wherein ??3°. One or more ion guides receive ions released from the target substrate and onwardly transmit the ions along an ion path which substantially bypasses the lens and mirror.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a mass selective ion trap or mass analyzer arranged upstream of an ion guide. Ions are scanned out of the mass selective ion trap or mass analyzer and are received in one or more axial potential wells created or formed within the ion guide. One or more transient DC voltages or potentials are preferably applied to the ion guide in order to create a plurality of axial potential wells which are translated along the length of the ion guide. Ions are released in packets from the exit of the ion guide and are orthogonally acceleration into a drift or flight region of an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyzer with a relatively high duty cycle.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a cooling cell for cooling ions so as to reduce their kinetic energy. The cooling cell comprises: a chamber for receiving the ions or for generating the ions therein, wherein said chamber is formed from walls defining a substantially enclosed region; and a cooling jacket surrounding said chamber, wherein said cooling jacket is arranged and configured to contain a cooling fluid and so as to remove heat from one or more walls of the chamber. The mass spectrometer further comprises a mass analyzer for receiving ions from the cooling cell after they have been cooled. The present invention reduced the kinetic energy of the ions prior to mass analysis and hence improves the resolution of the mass analyzer. The mass analyzer is preferably a time of flight mass analyzer.

Abstract: A method of ion imaging is disclosed comprising scanning a sample at a first resolution and acquiring first mass spectral data related to a first pixel location.

Abstract: A method for the analysis of samples including one or more glycopeptides including the steps of separating one or more glycopeptides using a chromatography system to produce a chromatographic eluent, adding a supercharging reagent to the chromatographic eluent, providing the chromatographic eluent and supercharging reagent to a mass spectrometer, ionizing the chromatographic eluent and supercharging reagent in an ion source to produce glycopeptide ions, performing at least one ion ion reaction on at least some of the glycopeptides ions to produce fragment ions, mass analyzing the fragment ions to produce ion ion reaction mass spectral data, and interpreting the ion ion reaction mass spectral data to provide structural information relating to the glycopeptide.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a dual channel Solvent Assisted Inlet Ionisation (“SAII”) interface.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: performing a survey scan of a plurality of different types of parent or precursor ions, wherein said survey scan comprises analysing the ion mobilities of the ions and mass analysing the ions; determining the charge states of parent or precursor ions analysed in the survey scan based on their determined combinations of ion mobility and mass to charge ratio; selecting a parent or precursor ion for fragmentation or reaction; and fragmenting or reacting said selected ion, wherein the fragmentation or reaction conditions are selected from a plurality of different fragmentation or reaction conditions based upon the determined charge state of the selected ion.

Abstract: A method of ion imaging is disclosed comprising testing a first portion of a sample by automatically varying one or more parameters of a laser or other ionisation device and manually or automatically determining from the first portion one or more optimum or preferred parameters of the laser or other ionisation device. A second portion of the sample is then analysed using the one or more optimum or preferred parameters.

Abstract: A method of ion imaging is disclosed comprising scanning a sample and acquiring first mass spectral data related to a first pixel location at a first spatial resolution and determining whether or not the first mass spectral data satisfies a condition. If it is determined that the first mass spectral data does satisfy the condition then the first mass spectral data is stored, recorded or prioritized. If it is determined that the first mass spectral data does not satisfy the condition then the first mass spectral data is discarded or downgraded. Scanning of the sample then continues at the first spatial resolution and further mass spectral data related to further pixel locations is acquired.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF confinement device, a beam expander and a Time of Flight mass analyzer. The beam expander is arranged to expand an ion beam emerging from the RF confinement device so that the ion beam is expanded to a diameter of at least 3 mm in the orthogonal acceleration extraction region of the Time of Flight mass analyzer.

Abstract: A sample plate 1 for an ion source is disclosed comprising a plurality of ionisation regions, each ionisation region comprising a first electrode 4 and a second separate electrode 4 separated by an insulator 4a.

Abstract: A Time of Flight mass analyser is disclosed comprising one or more acceleration electrodes and a first device arranged and adapted to apply a DC voltage pulse to the one or more acceleration electrodes. The DC voltage pulse causes ions to be accelerated into a time of flight or drift region and the DC voltage pulse is applied, in use, to the one or more acceleration electrodes between a time T1 and a time T2. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply a single phase oscillating voltage to the one or more acceleration electrodes, wherein the single phase oscillating voltage undergoes multiple oscillations between the time T1 and the time T2. The application of the DC voltage pulse and the single phase oscillating voltage to the one or more acceleration electrodes establishes an homogeneous electric field having a net force towards the time of flight or drift region.

Abstract: A collision or reaction device for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to cause first ions to collide or react with charged particles and/or neutral particles or otherwise dissociate so as to form second ions. The collision or reaction device further comprises a second device arranged and adapted to apply a broadband excitation with one or more frequency notches to the first device so as to cause the second ions and/or ions derived from the second ions to be substantially ejected from the first device without causing the first ions to be substantially ejected from the first device.

Abstract: A collision or reaction device for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to cause first ions to collide or react with charged particles and/or neutral particles or otherwise dissociate so as to form second ions. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply a broadband excitation with one or more frequency notches to the first device so as to cause the second ions and/or ions derived from the second ions to be substantially ejected from the collision or reaction region. The collision or reaction device further comprises a device arranged and adapted to determine the time when the second ions and/or ions derived from the second ions are substantially ejected from the first device.

Abstract: An ion source for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a lens and mirror arrangement which focuses a laser beam onto the upper surface of a target substrate. The lens has an effective focal length ?300 mm. The laser beam is directed onto the target substrate at an angle ? with respect to the perpendicular to the target substrate, wherein ??3°. One or more ion guides receive ions released from the target substrate and onwardly transmit the ions along an ion path which substantially bypasses the lens and mirror.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein highly charged fragment ions resulting from Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation of parent ions are reduced in charge state within a Proton Transfer Reaction cell by reacting the fragment ions with a neutral superbase reagent gas such as Octahydropyrimidolazepine.