Abstract: An autosampler includes a carrier for receiving a plurality of sample containers each having a top end and a visible indicium. The visible indicia are located below a top plane defined by the top ends. The autosampler includes: an optical sensor configured to read the visible indicia and to generate a corresponding output signal, and having a line of sight; a controller configured to receive the output signal; and a sampling system to withdraw a sample from the sample containers. The autosampler is operative to relatively move the optical sensor and/or the carrier such that the line of sight intersects the visible indicium of a selected one of the sample containers, wherein the line of sight extends: downward from a height above the height of the top plane; at an oblique angle to the top plane; and through a gap between the selected sample container and an adjacent sample container.

Abstract: An autosampler includes a sample carrier for receiving first and second sets of sample containers each having a top end, a side wall, and a visible indicium on its side wall. The autosampler includes: an optical sensor to read the visible indicia and to generate a corresponding output signal; a controller to receive the output signal; and a sampling system to withdraw a sample. The sample carrier supports the first and second sets of sample containers at different heights such that the indicia of the sample containers of the second set are located above the top ends of the sample containers of the first set, whereby the indicia of the sample containers of the second set are exposed to the optical sensor over the top ends of the sample containers of the first set, thereby enabling the optical sensor to read the indicia of the second set of sample containers.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to methods of using couplers to provide a seal between a source assembly and a vacuum chamber. In certain examples, the source assembly can be inserted into a vacuum chamber. In some examples, the source assembly can be sealed to the vacuum chamber by rotation of a moveable component in a first direction to provide an axial force to seal the source assembly to the vacuum chamber. Rotation of the moveable component in a second direction can release the provided axial force to permit removal of the source assembly from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to inserts and ion sources. In some examples, an insert can comprise a positioning guide configured to provide for visual positioning of a chromatography column under the positioning guide. In other examples, an ion source configured with an aperture to couple to a carrier tube to render the ion source non-removable from an instrument housing when the carrier tube is coupled to the ion source is described.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to time of flight tubes comprising a cylindrical tube comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the cylindrical tube comprising an effective thickness and sized and arranged to couple to and support a reflectron assembly inside the cylindrical tube. In some configurations, the cylindrical tube further comprises a conductive material disposed on the inner surface of the cylindrical tube, the conductive material present in an effective amount to provide a field free region for ions when the conductive material is charged.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to reflectron assemblies and methods of producing them. In some configurations, a reflectron comprising a plurality of lenses each comprising a planar body and comprising a plurality of separate and individual conductors spanning a central aperture from a first side to a second side of a first surface of the planar body is described. In some instances, the plurality of conductors are each substantially parallel to each other and are positioned in the same plane.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices that can be used to align the components of a source assembly in a source housing. In some examples, a terminal lens configured to couple to the housing through respective alignment features can be used to retain the source components in a source housing to provide a source assembly.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to couplers that can be used to provide a seal between a source assembly and a vacuum chamber. In certain examples, the seal can be provided upon movement of a moveable component of the coupler. In some examples, rotation of the moveable component is operative to provide an axial force to a stationary component coupled to the moveable component such that the stationary component is biased to provide a suitable seal to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to time of flight tubes comprising a cylindrical tube comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the cylindrical tube comprising an effective thickness and sized and arranged to couple to and support a reflectron assembly inside the cylindrical tube. In some configurations, the cylindrical tube further comprises a conductive material disposed on the inner surface of the cylindrical tube, the conductive material present in an effective amount to provide a field free region for ions when the conductive material is charged.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to reflectron assemblies and methods of producing them. In some configurations, a reflectron comprising a plurality of lenses each comprising a planar body and comprising a plurality of separate and individual conductors spanning a central aperture from a first side to a second side of a first surface of the planar body is described. In some instances, the plurality of conductors are each substantially parallel to each other and are positioned in the same plane.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices that can be used to align the components of a source assembly in a source housing. In some examples, a terminal lens configured to couple to the housing through respective alignment features can be used to retain the source components in a source housing to provide a source assembly.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to time of flight tubes comprising a cylindrical tube comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the cylindrical tube comprising an effective thickness and sized and arranged to couple to and support a reflectron assembly inside the cylindrical tube. In some configurations, the cylindrical tube further comprises a conductive material disposed on the inner surface of the cylindrical tube, the conductive material present in an effective amount to provide a field free region for ions when the conductive material is charged.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to reflectron assemblies and methods of producing them. In some configurations, a reflectron comprising a plurality of lenses each comprising a planar body and comprising a plurality of separate and individual conductors spanning a central aperture from a first side to a second side of a first surface of the planar body is described. In some instances, the plurality of conductors are each substantially parallel to each other and are positioned in the same plane.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to couplers that can be used to provide a seal between a source assembly and a vacuum chamber. In certain examples, the seal can be provided upon movement of a moveable component of the coupler. In some examples, rotation of the moveable component is operative to provide an axial force to a stationary component coupled to the moveable component such that the stationary component is biased to provide a suitable seal to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices that can be used to align the components of a source assembly in a source housing. In some examples, a terminal lens configured to couple to the housing through respective alignment features can be used to retain the source components in a source housing to provide a source assembly.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to inserts and ion sources. In some examples, an insert can comprise a positioning guide configured to provide for visual positioning of a chromatography column under the positioning guide. In other examples, an ion source configured with an aperture to couple to a carrier tube to render the ion source non-removable from an instrument housing when the carrier tube is coupled to the ion source is described.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices that can be used to align the components of a source assembly in a source housing. In some examples, a terminal lens configured to couple to the housing through respective alignment features can be used to retain the source components in a source housing to provide a source assembly.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to inserts and ion sources. In some examples, an insert can comprise a positioning guide configured to provide for visual positioning of a chromatography column under the positioning guide. In other examples, an ion source configured with an aperture to couple to a carrier tube to render the ion source non-removable from an instrument housing when the carrier tube is coupled to the ion source is described.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to reflectron assemblies and methods of producing them. In some configurations, a reflectron comprising a plurality of lenses each comprising a planar body and comprising a plurality of separate and individual conductors spanning a central aperture from a first side to a second side of a first surface of the planar body is described. In some instances, the plurality of conductors are each substantially parallel to each other and are positioned in the same plane.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to time of flight tubes comprising a cylindrical tube comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the cylindrical tube comprising an effective thickness and sized and arranged to couple to and support a reflectron assembly inside the cylindrical tube. In some configurations, the cylindrical tube further comprises a conductive material disposed on the inner surface of the cylindrical tube, the conductive material present in an effective amount to provide a field free region for ions when the conductive material is charged.