Abstract: A nozzle for an ionisation source comprises: a light passage having an inlet end and an outlet end; and a gas flow passage in fluid communication with the light passage, wherein the gas flow passage is configured to convey, in use, a flow of gas into the light passage such that the flow of gas travels substantially towards the outlet end of the light passage.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a rotatable isolation valve 1 having a curved, spherical, cylindrical or concave portion. At least a portion of an ion guide 2 is positioned so as to extend within a swept volume of the isolation valve 1 enabling the ion guide 2 to be positioned close to a second downstream ion guide 3 and for ions to be transmitted from the first 2 ion guide to the second ion guide 3 with high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a rotatable isolation valve (1) having a curved, spherical, cylindrical or concave portion. At least a portion of an ion guide (2) is positioned so as to extend within a swept volume of the isolation valve (1) enabling the ion guide (2) to be positioned close to a second downstream ion guide (3) and for ions to be transmitted from the first (2) ion guide to the second ion guide (3) with high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A nozzle for an ionisation source comprises: a light passage having an inlet end and an outlet end; and a gas flow passage in fluid communication with the light passage, wherein the gas flow passage is configured to convey, in use, a flow of gas into the light passage such that the flow of gas travels substantially towards the outlet end of the light passage.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a rotatable isolation valve (1) having a curved, spherical, cylindrical or concave portion. At least a portion of an ion guide (2) is positioned so as to extend within a swept volume of the isolation valve (1) enabling the ion guide (2) to be positioned close to a second downstream ion guide (3) and for ions to be transmitted from the first (2) ion guide to the second ion guide (3) with high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A method of controlling a switching frequency of a device is disclosed, the method comprising estimating a rate of temperature ripples experienced by the device; determining the total number of temperature ripples expected over a required lifetime of the device, based on the rate of temperature ripples; determining and setting a first temperature ripple limit based on the total number of temperature ripples expected over the required lifetime of the device; and controlling a switching frequency of the device based on the first temperature ripple limit.

Abstract: An ion analysis instrument is disclosed comprising an indicator device for providing an indication of a relative positioning of an ion source, a sample, and/or a sampling orifice or capillary of an ion analysis instrument such as a mass or ion mobility spectrometer in order to facilitate re-alignment of one or more of these components following a change. The indicator device comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation such as a pair of lasers or image projection devices.

Abstract: A ground fault detection circuit comprising a fuse and a fuse detect circuit. The fuse and the fuse detect circuit are arranged to be coupled in parallel between a reference point and a second point of a monitored circuit for which ground faults are to be detected. The fuse detect circuit is further arranged to detect a fuse break indicative of a ground fault condition and disable at least a portion of the monitored circuit.

Abstract: A ground fault detection circuit comprising a fuse and a fuse detect circuit. The fuse and the fuse detect circuit are arranged to be coupled in parallel between a reference point and a second point of a monitored circuit for which ground faults are to be detected. The fuse detect circuit is further arranged to detect a fuse break indicative of a ground fault condition and disable at least a portion of the monitored circuit.

Abstract: An ion analysis instrument is disclosed comprising an indicator device for providing an indication of a relative positioning of an ion source, a sample, and/or a sampling orifice or capillary of an ion analysis instrument such as a mass or ion mobility spectrometer in order to facilitate re-alignment of one or more of these components following a change. The indicator device comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation such as a pair of lasers or image projection devices.

Abstract: A ground fault detection circuit comprising a fuse and a fuse detect circuit. The fuse and the fuse detect circuit are arranged to be coupled in parallel between a reference point and a second point of a monitored circuit for which ground faults are to be detected. The fuse detect circuit is further arranged to detect a fuse break indicative of a ground fault condition and disable at least a portion of the monitored circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a compensated voltage output comprising: a first power source or power sink coupled between a first node and a reference node; a second power source or power sink coupled between a second node and the reference node; a biasing means comprising one portion coupled between the first node and the reference node, and another portion coupled between the first node and the second node. The biasing means is operable to generate a controllable bias voltage of either polarity between the first and second nodes to produce the compensated voltage output.

Abstract: A ground fault detection circuit comprising a fuse and a fuse detect circuit. The fuse and the fuse detect circuit are arranged to be coupled in parallel between a reference point and a second point of a monitored circuit for which ground faults are to be detected. The fuse detect circuit is further arranged to detect a fuse break indicative of a ground fault condition and disable at least a portion of the monitored circuit.