Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein a signal output from an ion detector is digitised using an Analogue to Digital Converter. A background or baseline level is dynamically subtracted from the digitised signal whilst the time of flight data is still being acquired. A threshold is also applied dynamically to the digitised signal in order to reduce electronic noise.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a time of flight mass analyzer. The time of flight mass analyszr comprises an ion guide comprising a plurality of electrodes which are interconnected by a series of resistors forming a potential divider. Ions are confined radially within the ion guide by the application of a two-phase RF voltage to the electrodes. A single phase additional RF voltage is applied across the potential divider so that an inhomogeneous pseudo-potential force is maintained along the length of the ion guide.

Abstract: A method of improving the fidelity of m/z dependent measurements for a species of interest in an analyte in a mass spectrometer, which method comprises the steps of acquiring raw data produced in a mass spectrometer, identifying a region within the raw data that relates to the species of interest, forming a mathematical model to calculate the joint probability distribution of the parameters effecting the m/z dependent measurements, analytically obtaining samples from the joint probability distribution to produce corrected or refined m/z dependent measurements with associated uncertainties.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for changing to which remote device a local device is in communication via a communication medium, communicates with a matrix switch forming part of the system by interruption of the communication medium by the local device. Upon receipt of a unit of information via interruption of the communication medium, the matrix switch causes the local device to be in communication with another remote device other than the remote device that it was previously in communication. In one embodiment, the switching is to a next available remote device of a plurality of remote devices while in another embodiment, the matrix switch switches the local device to a switch configuration device for further communication therewith via the communication medium, thereby allowing the local device to select which other remote device it desires to be in communication.

Abstract: An ion guide or ion trap is disclosed having an entrance electrode and an exit electrode. The potential of the exit electrode is periodically dropped for a relatively short period of time allowing some ions to escape from the ion guide or ion trap via an aperture in the exit electrode. The period of time that the potential of the exit electrode is dropped for is progressively increased and ions emerge from the ion guide or ion trap in a mass to charge ratio dependent manner. The ion guide or ion trap may be operated as a mass separator or low resolution mass analyzer.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a 2D or 3D ion trap. The 2D ion trap comprises a quadrupole rod set ion trap wherein a slot is provided in each of the rods to allow ions to be ejected radially from the ion trap. The 3D ion trap comprises a central ring electrode which is radially segmented and wherein a slot is provided in each radial segment to allow ions to be ejected radially from the ion trap. Ions having different mass to charge ratios and/or opposite polarities may be simultaneously ejected from the ion trap via different exit pathways.

Abstract: A beverage cooler has a low voltage DC supply (311) usable by the controller ancillaries, such as lighting (318), the DC supply also providing the supply voltage to a microprocessor (313) which electronically commutates at least one of the motors (305, 306, 307) associated with beverage cooling to provide a required speed or loading. The microprocessor also responds to and controls the cooler ancillaries, such as lighting, temperature and status reporting thereby allowing a reduced component count.

Abstract: An ion trap mass analyzer is disclosed comprising a segmented rod set. Ions are trapped radially within the mass analyzer by a radial pseudo-potential well. The ions are also confined axially within a quadratic axial potential well. An AC voltage or potential is applied to the electrodes comprising the ion trap mass analyzer in order to excite parametrically ions within the ion trap.

Abstract: An ion guide or mass analyser is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes having apertures through which ions are transmitted in use. A pseudo-potential barrier is created at the exit of the ion guide or mass analyser. The amplitude or depth of the pseudo-potential barrier is inversely proportional to the mass to charge ratio of an ion. One or more transient DC voltages are applied to the electrodes of the ion guide or mass analyser in order to urge ions along the length of the ion guides or mass analyser. The amplitude of the transient DC voltage applied to the electrode may be increased with time so that ions are caused to be emitted from the ion guide or mass analyser in reverse order of their mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: A display unit illuminated from in front of a display area, the display unit including a display area for presenting visual information to a user of the unit, a lens element spaced apart from and extending across the display area, and a source of illumination at a peripheral edge of the lens element for providing front illumination of the display area.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for segmenting a database based, at least in part, on a prevalence associated with known objects included in the database. In operation, a database including a plurality of known objects is identified. Additionally, the database is segmented into a plurality of segments. Furthermore, each of the plurality of known objects are assigned to one of the plurality of segments, based at least in part on a prevalence associated with each of the plurality of known objects.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein an ion signal is split into a first and second signal. The first and second signals are multiplied by different gains and are digitised. Arrival time and intensity pairs are calculated for both digitised signals and the resulting time and intensity pairs are combined to form a high dynamic range spectrum. The spectrum is then combined with other corresponding spectra to form a summed spectrum.

Abstract: A video data extension system includes a transmitter and a receiver for transmitting and receiving encoded serial data over optical fibers. Transmitter is configured to receive one SDI 3G video stream at 2.97 Gb/s, two HD-SDI video streams at 1.485 Gb/s, two SD-SDI at 270 Mb/s, or one HD-SDI at 1.485 Gb/s and one SD-SDI at 270 Mb/s. Received data is segmented into packets to form an extended video stream for transmission at 3.75 Gb/s. To each packet, idle and header are provided. Out-of-band data, such as RS422 data, may be included in the extended video stream. In cases where the received data includes data from two HD streams, received data are segmented into two groups of data packets for arranging into extended video stream in an alternate manner. Upon receiving the extended video stream, receiver uses idles to align data and header information to separate the HD streams.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for segmenting a database based, at least in part, on a prevalence associated with known objects included in the database. In operation, a database including a plurality of known objects is identified. Additionally, the database is segmented into a plurality of segments. Furthermore, each of the plurality of known objects are assigned to one of the plurality of segments, based at least in part on a prevalence associated with each of the plurality of known objects.

Abstract: An ion trap mass analyser is disclosed comprising a segmented rod set. Ions are trapped radially within the mass analyser by a radial pseudo-potential well. The ions are also confined axially within a quadratic axial potential well. An AC voltage or potential is applied to the electrodes comprising the ion trap mass analyser in order to excite parametrically ions within the ion trap.

Abstract: An ion guide or ion trap is disclosed having an entrance electrode and an exit electrode. The potential of the exit electrode is periodically dropped for a relatively short period of time allowing some ions to escape from the ion guide or ion trap via an aperture in the exit electrode. The period of time that the potential of the exit electrode is dropped for is progressively increased and ions emerge from the ion guide or ion trap in a mass to charge ratio dependent manner. The ion guide or ion trap may be operated as a mass separator or low resolution mass analyser.

Abstract: An ion trap mass analyser is disclosed comprising a segmented rod set. Ions are trapped radially within the mass analyser by a radial pseudo-potential well. The ions are also confined axially within a quadratic axial potential well. A supplemental AC voltage or potential is applied to the electrodes comprising the ion trap mass analyser in order to excite parametrically ions within the ion trap.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser. A pulse or packet of ions is released either from an ion trap or alternatively from a travelling wave ion guide arranged upstream of an orthogonal acceleration electrode which forms part of the Time of Flight mass analyser. Ions in the pulse or packet or ions which is released become temporally dispersed and the orthogonal acceleration electrode is energized multiple times prior the release of a subsequent pulse or packet of ions.

Abstract: An ion guide or ion trap (1) is disclosed having an entrance electrode (2) and an exit electrode (3). The potential of the exit electrode (3) is periodically dropped for a relatively short period of time allowing some ions to escape from the ion guide or ion trap (1) via an aperture in the exit electrode (3). The period of time that the potential of the exit electrode (3) is dropped for is progressively increased and ions emerge from the ion guide or ion trap (1) in a mass to charge ratio dependent manner. The ion guide or ion trap (1) may be operated as a mass separator or low resolution mass analyser.

Abstract: Fluid pressure, applied e.g. via an electrorheological fluid is used to control and/or support the shape of a self-deformable mirror during manufacture, use or transportation. For transportation, the mirror is supported beforehand by pressure fluid in a flexible container. The fluid is withdrawn after transportation to permit release of the mirror. The transportation aspect of the invention is applicable also to other fragile structures.