Abstract: Presented is a mass spectrometer comprising an ion path along which ions are transported between different sections of the mass spectrometer, and further comprising an arrangement with a receptacle being located along the ion path in the mass spectrometer and a complementary mount for carrying a removable ion-optical assembly, such as a carrier of electrodes for a MALDI ion source, wherein the mount can be removed from and reinserted into the receptacle in a plane approximately perpendicular to an ion path axis.

Abstract: Presented is a mass spectrometer comprising an ion path along which ions are transported between different sections of the mass spectrometer, and further comprising an arrangement with a receptacle being located along the ion path in the mass spectrometer and a complementary mount for carrying a removable ion-optical assembly, such as a carrier of electrodes for a MALDI ion source, wherein the mount can be removed from and reinserted into the receptacle in a plane approximately perpendicular to an ion path axis.

Abstract: Presented is a mass spectrometer comprising an ion path along which ions are transported between different sections of the mass spectrometer, and further comprising an arrangement with a receptacle being located along the ion path in the mass spectrometer and a complementary mount for carrying a removable ion-optical assembly, such as a carrier of electrodes for a MALDI ion source, wherein the mount can be removed from and reinserted into the receptacle in a plane approximately perpendicular to an ion path axis.

Abstract: A device for use in a mass spectrometer allows an ion-optical assembly to be removed, cleaned and reinserted with relatively high positioning accuracy. In particular, the device obviates the need for complex adjustments requiring special knowledge after the reinsertion. The objective is achieved by an arrangement comprising a receptacle and a mount for a removable ion-optical assembly in a mass spectrometer. Favorable implementations provide a mount and a receptacle with three pairs of complementary support elements, the three support elements on the receptacle form a support plane, and, when the mount is inserted into the receptacle, at least two pairs of support elements are engaged and the mount is aligned with respect to the support plane with the aid of the third pair of support elements.

Abstract: A device for use in a mass spectrometer allows an ion-optical assembly to be removed, cleaned and reinserted with relatively high positioning accuracy. In particular, the device obviates the need for complex adjustments requiring special knowledge after the reinsertion. The objective is achieved by an arrangement comprising a receptacle and a mount for a removable ion-optical assembly in a mass spectrometer. Favorable implementations provide a mount and a receptacle with three pairs of complementary support elements, the three support elements on the receptacle form a support plane, and, when the mount is inserted into the receptacle, at least two pairs of support elements are engaged and the mount is aligned with respect to the support plane with the aid of the third pair of support elements.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a multipole system from a composite, comprising metal and insulating components rigidly fastened together, includes spark erosion cutting with a moving wire cathode to create a solid block whose metal pole faces are accurately parallel to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of creating multipole systems carrying RF voltage which can be used as ion guides, mass-selective quadrupole filters or collision cells to fragment ions; and multipole systems manufactured according to this method. The invention provides a method which produces particularly inexpensive multipole systems by spark erosion with a wire cathode. The multipole rod system comprises only two pieces of metal for connection to the two phases of the RF voltage, and the two pieces of metal are adjusted with respect to each other by one or more identical insulating rings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of creating multipole systems carrying RF voltage which can be used as ion guides, mass-selective quadrupole filters or collision cells to fragment ions; and multipole systems manufactured according to this method. The invention provides a method which produces particularly inexpensive multipole systems by spark erosion with a wire cathode. The multipole rod system comprises only two pieces of metal for connection to the two phases of the RF voltage, and the two pieces of metal are adjusted with respect to each other by one or more identical insulating rings.

Abstract: A system and a method for the introduction of sample supports, which hold large numbers of analysis samples, into the ion source region of a mass spectrometer. The sample supports are especially intended for the ionization method using matrix-assisted desorption through laser bombardment (MALDI). The system consists of using an evacuable, sealable and removable cassette which, instead of using a through-passage lock chamber with two lock valves, can be attached in a simple manner to the entrance opening for the ion source of the mass spectrometer. Only the entrance opening has a lock valve, and the expensive second lock valve in the lock chamber is no longer needed. The cassette can also be used for protected transport and for storage of the sample supports, and in particular for storage of the samples under protective gas or vacuum.