Abstract: Ions ejected from a collision cell are detected by a detector. An evaluation unit generates a temporary calibration curve based on an intensity of a detection signal and evaluates an ion accumulation time of the collision cell based on the temporary calibration curve. When the evaluation unit determines signal saturation, the ion accumulation time of the collision cell is reduced. When the evaluation unit determines sensitivity insufficiency, the ion accumulation time of the collision cell is increased.

Abstract: A sampling period of an A/D converter is set in accordance with an ion pulse ejection operation of a collision cell of an accumulation type. Start timing of the sampling period is changed in accordance with a selected m/z of a second mass analysis unit. In addition, end timing of the sampling period may be changed in accordance with the selected m/z of the second mass analysis unit. In place of the sampling period, a data cut-out period may be changed.

Abstract: A sampling period of an A/D converter is set in accordance with an ion pulse ejection operation of a collision cell of an accumulation type. Start timing of the sampling period is changed in accordance with a selected m/z of a second mass analysis unit. In addition, end timing of the sampling period may be changed in accordance with the selected m/z of the second mass analysis unit. In place of the sampling period, a data cut-out period may be changed.

Abstract: Neutral particles are blocked by a deflector provided upstream of a detector. A controller changes a reference potential V2 of the deflector in connection with a change of a reference potential V1 of a collision cell such that a potential difference ?V between the reference potential V1 and the reference potential V2 is constant. The change of the reference potential V2 is executed during a period in which an ion pulse does not pass the deflector.

Abstract: When a first scheme (transition observation time optimization scheme) is selected, a computation unit computes an actual transition observation time as a time of an integer multiple of a storage-ejection time of a collision cell within a frame of a transition observation time. When a second scheme (storage-ejection time optimization scheme) is selected, the computation unit divides the transition observation time by a maximum storage-ejection time to determine a number of repetitions of a storing-ejecting operation of the collision cell, and determines a storage-ejection time based thereon.

Abstract: Neutral particles are blocked by a deflector provided upstream of a detector. A controller changes a reference potential V2 of the deflector in connection with a change of a reference potential V1 of a collision cell such that a potential difference ?V between the reference potential V1 and the reference potential V2 is constant. The change of the reference potential V2 is executed during a period in which an ion pulse does not pass the deflector.

Abstract: When a first scheme (transition observation time optimization scheme) is selected, a computation unit computes an actual transition observation time as a time of an integer multiple of a storage-ejection time of a collision cell within a frame of a transition observation time. When a second scheme (storage-ejection time optimization scheme) is selected, the computation unit divides the transition observation time by a maximum storage-ejection time to determine a number of repetitions of a storing-ejecting operation of the collision cell, and determines a storage-ejection time based thereon.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and method capable of optimizing the opening time of a collision cell includes: an ion source (10) for ionizing a sample; a first mass analyzer (30) for selecting first desired ions from the ions generated in the ion source (10); a collision cell (40) for fragmenting some or all of the first desired ions into product ions; a second mass analyzer (50) for selecting second desired ions from the first desired ions and the product ions; a detector (60) for detecting the second desired ions; and a control section (200) for controlling the collision cell (40) in such a way that the cell performs a storing operation for storing the first desired ions and the product ions for a given storage time and then performs an opening operation for ejecting the stored ions for a given opening time based on information about settings in an adjustment mode.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and control method which achieves high-speed scanning while maintaining relatively high sensitivity. The mass spectrometer (1) has: an ion source (2); a collisional cell (40) for performing a storing operation for storing at least some of the ions (2) and then performing an ejecting operation for ejecting the stored ions; a second mass analyzer (50) for selecting desired ions; a detector (60) for detecting the desired ions; analog signal processing circuitry (80) for converting a signal from the detector (60) into a voltage; and an A/D converter (90) for sampling and converting the output voltage into a digital signal. Signals delivered from the analog signal processing circuitry (80) in response to two pulsed ions produced by two successive ejecting operations of the collisional cell (40) are at least partially overlapped temporally.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer has an ion transport region and a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer. The ion transport region includes a collision cell (ion storage region), a steady potential region, and a variable potential region such that the difference in potential between the steady potential region and the variable potential region when ions passed through the steady potential region enter the steady potential region increases with increasing mass-to-charge ratio of ions. The mass analyzer causes the ions transported via the transport region to be accelerated along another optical axis at a given acceleration timing and guides the ions toward a detector.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and method capable of optimizing the opening time of a collisional cell includes: an ion source (10) for ionizing a sample; a first mass analyzer (30) for selecting first desired ions from the ions generated in the ion source (10); a collisional cell (40) for fragmenting some or all of the first desired ions into product ions; a second mass analyzer (50) for selecting second desired ions from the first desired ions and the product ions; a detector (60) for detecting the second desired ions; and a control section (200) for controlling the collisional cell (40) in such a way that the cell performs a storing operation for storing the first desired ions and the product ions for a given storage time and then performs an opening operation for ejecting the stored ions for a given opening time based on information about settings in an adjustment mode.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and control method which achieves high-speed scanning while maintaining relatively high sensitivity. The mass spectrometer (1) has: an ion source (2) ; a collisional cell (40) for performing a storing operation for storing at least some of the ions (2) and then performing an ejecting operation for ejecting the stored ions; a second mass analyzer (50) for selecting desired ions; a detector (60) for detecting the desired ions; analog signal processing circuitry (80) for converting a signal from the detector (60) into a voltage; and an A/D converter (90) for sampling and converting the output voltage into a digital signal. Signals delivered from the analog signal processing circuitry (80) in response to two pulsed ions produced by two successive ejecting operations of the collisional cell (40) are at least partially overlapped temporally.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having first and second mass analyzers for selecting first and second desired ions and a controller that provides control such that those of the first desired ions which have larger masses have larger kinetic energies in the direction of the optical axis in the first mass analyzer and that those of the second desired ions which have larger masses have larger kinetic energies in the direction of the optical axis in the second mass analyzer.

Abstract: A spectrometer is offered which can reduce ion loss compared with the prior art even when ions selected by the mass analyzer are modified. The spectrometer includes an ion source for ionizing a sample, an ion storage portion for repeatedly performing a storing operation for storing ions created by the ion source and an expelling operation for expelling the stored ions as pulsed ions, the mass analyzer for passing pulsed ions expelled from the ion storage portion and selecting desired ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio, a detector for detecting pulsed ions passed through the mass analyzer and outputting an analog signal responsive to the intensity of the detection, and a controller for maintaining constant the mass-to-charge ratio of the desired ions selected by the mass analyzer while pulsed ions including the desired ions are passing through the mass analyzer.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having first and second mass analyzers for selecting first and second desired ions and a controller that provides control such that those of the first desired ions which have larger masses have larger kinetic energies in the direction of the optical axis in the first mass analyzer and that those of the second desired ions which have larger masses have larger kinetic energies in the direction of the optical axis in the second mass analyzer.

Abstract: A spectrometer is offered which can reduce ion loss compared with the prior art even when ions selected by the mass analyzer are modified. The spectrometer includes an ion source for ionizing a sample, an ion storage portion for repeatedly performing a storing operation for storing ions created by the ion source and an expelling operation for expelling the stored ions as pulsed ions, the mass analyzer for passing pulsed ions expelled from the ion storage portion and selecting desired ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio, a detector for detecting pulsed ions passed through the mass analyzer and outputting an analog signal responsive to the intensity of the detection, and a controller for maintaining constant the mass-to-charge ratio of the desired ions selected by the mass analyzer while pulsed ions including the desired ions are passing through the mass analyzer.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer has an ion transport region and a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer. The ion transport region includes a collision cell (ion storage region), a steady potential region, and a variable potential region such that the difference in potential between the steady potential region and the variable potential region when ions passed through the steady potential region enter the steady potential region increases with increasing mass-to-charge ratio of ions. The mass analyzer causes the ions transported via the transport region to be accelerated along another optical axis at a given acceleration timing and guides the ions toward a detector.