Abstract: The present invention relates to, inter alia, methods and apparatuses for electron transfer dissociation (ETD) that vary the internal energy of precursor ions for ETD. The methods and apparatuses are particularly useful in mass spectrometry.

Abstract: In a tandem mass spectrometer means are provided for molecular activation of ions prior to fragmentation. An embodiment of a tandem mass spectrometer comprises a first collision cell receiving analyte ions having an internal energy and a second collision cell situated downstream from the first collision cell wherein the first collision cell increases the internal energy of the analyte ions prior to entry of the ions into the second collision cell, the increase in internal energy imparted in the first collision cell alone being insufficient to fragment a substantial portion of the analyte ions. Another embodiment includes a collision cell with a heating device situated adjacent to the collision cell for controlling the temperature within the collision cell.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for nanopore analysis of polymers are provided. One exemplary device, among others, includes a substrate having a plurality of partitioned nanopores configured to receive a polymer sample. In addition, the device includes a plurality of sets of resonant tunneling electrodes adjacent the partitioned nanopore. At least one set of resonant tunneling electrodes is configured to detect tunneling current as monomers of a polymer in the polymer sample sequentially travel through at least one partitioned nanopore.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometry system. The invention provides an ion source for providing radiative heating to an ionization region. The ion source includes a nanospray ionization device for producing ions and a conduit adjacent to the ionization device for receiving ions from the ionization device. The conduit includes a conductive material for providing indirect radiative heating to the ionization region. Direct radiative heating may also be provided using a heater in the conduit. The ion source may be used separately or in conjunction with the mass spectrometry system. When used in conjunction with a mass spectrometry system a detector may also be employed down stream from the device. A method for desolvating an analyte using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing ions. The apparatus may be used separately as an ion source or in combination with a mass spectrometry system. The ion source of the present invention provides an ionization device for producing ions, a substrate for capturing, storing and releasing ions produced by the ionization device, a conductive material in contact with the substrate for receiving an electrical pulse, and a voltage source electrically connected to the conductive material for applying an electrical pulse to the conductive material and substrate to release the ions captured by the substrate. Also disclosed is a method for storing and releasing ions using the disclosed apparatus.