Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion beam attenuator which attenuates an ion beam repeatedly switching between a zero transmission mode of operation during a time period ?T1 and a non-zero transmission mode of operation during a time period ?T2. The degree of attenuation of the ion beam can be varied by varying the mark space ratio ?T2/?T1. The ion beam attenuator may release ions in packets or pulses but the packets or pulses of ions may be converted into a continuous ion beam by a relatively high pressure ion guide or gas collision cell arranged downstream of the ion beam attenuator.

Abstract: An ion guide or ion trap (1) is disclosed comprising a segmented linear ion guide or ion trap. Ions are confined radially within the ion guide or ion trap (1) by the application of an AC or RF voltage to the electrodes. A static potential well is maintained along at least a portion of the axial length of the ion guide or ion trap (1). A time varying homogeneous electric field is applied along at least a portion of the axial length of the ion guide or ion trap (1). The combination of the static axial potential well and the time varying axial homogeneous electric field causes ions to be ejected from the ion guide or ion trap (1) in a substantially non-resonant manner.

Abstract: A Time of Flight mass analyser is disclosed comprising an ion detector comprising an Analogue to Digital Converter. Output signals from the ion detector are digitised and the arrival times and intensity values relating to ion arrival events are determined. If the determined arrival times from two signals fall within the same time window then the arrival times are added together in a weighted manner and the intensity values are combined.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a Time of Flight mass analyser comprising an ion detector comprising an Analogue to Digital Converter. Signals from the Analogue to Digital Converter are digitised and the arrival time and intensity of ions are determined. The arrival time T0 and intensity S0 of each ion arrival event is converted into two separate intensities S(n),S(n+i) which are stored in neighbouring time bins T(n), T(n+1).

Abstract: An ion guide or mass analyser (2) is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes (2a) 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 (2). 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 (4) are applied to the electrodes (2a) of the ion guide or mass analyser (2) in order to urge ions along the length of the ion guides or mass analyser (2). The amplitude of the transient DC voltage (4) applied to the electrode (2a) may be increased with time so that ions are caused to be emitted from the ion guide or mass analyser (2) in reverse order of their mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of analyzing signals from an array of sensors, the array including one or more pressure sensor and one or more pressure-gradient sensor. The method includes combining data received from one or more pressure sensors and data from one or more of the pressure-gradient sensors, in such a way as substantially to eliminate noise components from the product. The invention also relates to a sonar system and an array configuration for implementing the method, as well as a computer readable product, storage device storing the computer readable product and computer receivable signal for implementing the method.

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: An ion trap mass analyser (1) 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 (1) in order to excite parametrically ions within the ion trap (1).

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed wherein distortions in a mass spectrum are corrected for by determining or estimating the number of ions Qi which arrived in an ith time bin, wherein: Formula (I) and wherein qi is the actual total number of ion arrival events recorded in the ith time bin and x is an integer corresponding to the number of time bins which correspond with an estimated deadtime period.

Abstract: An ion guide or ion trap 1 is disclosed comprising a segmented linear ion guide or ion trap. Ions are confined radially within the ion guide or ion trap 1 by the application of an AC or RF voltage to the electrodes. Ions are trapped within an axial quadratic potential well which is oscillated or modulated axially so as to cause ions to be ejected from the ion guide or ion trap 1 in a substantially non-resonant manner.

Abstract: An ion trap mass analyser (1) 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 the ion trap by an axial electric field. The axial electric field is substantially linear across the central section of the ion trap, but the electric field is distorted across both ends of the ion trap. A supplemental AC voltage or potential is applied to the electrodes comprising the ion trap mass analyser (1) in order to excite resonantly ions within the ion trap (1). The distortions in the electric field at the ends of the ion trap cause the resonant frequency of ions within the ion trap to shift to either a higher or lower frequency. If the frequency of the supplemental AC voltage or potential is scanned appropriately then ions are ejected from the ion trap in a shorter period of time leading to an improvement in mass resolution.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a segmented linear ion guide or ion trap. Ions are confined radially within the ion guide or ion trap by the application of an AC or RF voltage to the electrodes forming the ion guide or ion trap. A quadratic DC potential is applied along the axial length of the ion guide or ion trap in order to cause trapped ions to perform simple harmonic motion within the ion guide or ion trap. The frequency of the oscillations of the ions is detected using one or more inductive detectors. The mass to charge ratio of the ions can then be determined from the determined frequency of oscillations.

Abstract: A long rail pick-up and delivery system providing increased efficiency and safety. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can include a power car, a rail train, a loading car, an unloading car, a transition car and two independent gantries. The dual gantry design allows for simultaneous and independent loading and unloading of long rail on both sides of the long rail pick-up and delivery system. The gantries are operably mounted on a elevated track whereby the gantries are capable to traversing the length of the rail train. The gantries can include booms having multiple degrees of freedom allowing a gripping head to grasp and pull long rail regardless of the resting attitude of the long rail. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can also include additional power cars, an integrated work station and additional gantries.

Abstract: An ion detector for a mass spectrometer is provided wherein a mask (10) is provided between a first microchannel plate (2a) and a second microchannel plate (2b). The mask (10) prevents ion arrival events causing a cloud of secondary electrons to be from the second microchannel plate (2b) which would illuminate two collection anodes (5,6) at substantially the same time. The mask (10) also prevents electron clouds emitted which would otherwise vary significantly in intensity.

Abstract: A long rail pick-up and delivery system providing increased efficiency and safety. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can include a power car, a rail train, a loading car, an unloading car, a transition car and two independent gantries. The dual gantry design allows for simultaneous and independent loading and unloading of long rail on both sides of the long rail pick-up and delivery system. The gantries are operably mounted on a elevated track whereby the gantries are capable to traversing the length of the rail train. The gantries can include booms having multiple degrees of freedom allowing a gripping head to grasp and pull long rail regardless of the resting attitude of the long rail. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can also include additional power cars, an integrated work station and additional gantries.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for introducing a fluid stream into a carbon black reactor and for producing carbon black. According to the present invention, a fluid stream comprising an oxidant, nitrogen, hydrogen, a hydrocarbonaceous material or mixtures thereof is introduced into the effluent flowing through a carbon black reactor in an axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for rapid detection of analytes in a sample. Surprisingly, it has been found that bulking materials having non-sugar sweeteners effectively enhance chromatographic detection methods by providing component stability and controlled release. Thus, the novel components and methods disclosed herein provide a completely new modality of chromatographic analyte detection.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion beam attenuator which attenuates an ion beam repeatedly switching between a zero transmission mode of operation during a time period ?T1 and a non-zero transmission mode of operation during a time period ?T2. The degree of attenuation of the ion beam can be varied by varying the mark space ratio ?T2/?T1. The ion beam attenuator may release ions in packets or pulses but the packets or pulses of ions may be converted into a continuous ion beam by a relatively high pressure ion guide or gas collision cell arranged downstream of the ion beam attenuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for rapid detection of analytes in a sample. Surprisingly, it has been found that bulking materials having starch reagents effectively enhance chromatographic detection methods by providing component stability and controlled release. Thus, the novel components and methods disclosed herein provide a completely new modality of chromatographic analyte detection.

Abstract: The invention provides a collection of polymorphic sites associated with variations in human skin color, and genes containing or proximal to the sites.