Abstract: A mass spectrometer (1) includes: an ionization section (201) configured to generate ions from a sample; a mass separation section (231, 235) configured to separate ions generated by the ionization section according to mass-to-charge ratio; an ion detector (237) configured to detect an ion separated by the mass separation section; an ion capture section (31) configured to capture ions separated by the mass separation section; and an electron beam detection section (32) configured to detect an electron beam diffracted by ions captured within the ion capture section (31). This mass spectrometer is capable of performing, in a single measurement operation, both a mass spectrometric analysis and an electron-beam diffraction measurement for distinguishing between isomers. The electron-beam diffraction measurement can be more efficiently performed than in a conventional device of this type.

Abstract: In order to improve the ionization efficiency and ion collection efficiency in an ESI ion source to achieve a higher level of analysis sensitivity while improving the throughput of the analysis, one mode of the present invention provides an ion analyzer equipped with an ion source employing an electrospray ionization method, where the ion source (2) includes: a plurality of capillaries (211-218) configured to spray a supplied liquid sample in the same direction; one or more auxiliary electrodes (23, 231-328) arranged so as to be surrounded by the plurality of capillaries; and a voltage supplier (24) configured to apply, to the plurality of capillaries, a DC high voltage for which the potential of the one or more auxiliary electrodes is used as a reference.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer (1) includes: an ionization section (201) configured to generate ions from a sample; a mass separation section (231, 235) configured to separate ions generated by the ionization section according to mass-to-charge ratio; an ion detector (237) configured to detect an ion separated by the mass separation section; an ion capture section (31) configured to capture ions separated by the mass separation section; and an electron beam detection section (32) configured to detect an electron beam diffracted by ions captured within the ion capture section (31). This mass spectrometer is capable of performing, in a single measurement operation, both a mass spectrometric analysis and an electron-beam diffraction measurement for distinguishing between isomers. The electron-beam diffraction measurement can be more efficiently performed than in a conventional device of this type.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer, includes: a sampling probe that irradiates a specimen disposed in the atmosphere with an electron and obtains a sample separated from the specimen; and a measurement unit that performs mass spectrometry of the sample obtained by the sampling probe, wherein the sampling probe comprises: a casing having an opening which is opened to the atmosphere and an outlet through which the sample is discharged to the measurement unit; and a surface emission type electron emission element housed in the casing such that an electron emission surface thereof opposes to the opening.

Abstract: A multipole ion guide (30) including a plurality of rod electrodes arranged at an angle to the central axis (C) is placed within a collision cell (13) located in the previous stage of an orthogonal accelerator (16). Radio-frequency voltages with opposite phases are applied to the rod electrodes of the ion guide (30) so that any two rod electrodes neighboring each other in the circumferential direction have opposite phases of the voltage. A depth gradient of the pseudopotential is thereby formed from the entrance end toward the exit end within the space surrounded by the rod electrodes, and ions are accelerated by this gradient. During an ion-accumulating process, a direct voltage having the same polarity as the ions is applied to the exit lens electrode (132) to form a potential barrier for accumulating ions. Among the ions repelled by the potential barrier, ions having smaller m/z return closer to the entrance end.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer, includes: a sampling probe that irradiates a specimen disposed in the atmosphere with an electron and obtains a sample separated from the specimen; and a measurement unit that performs mass spectrometry of the sample obtained by the sampling probe, wherein the sampling probe comprises: a casing having an opening which is opened to the atmosphere and an outlet through which the sample is discharged to the measurement unit; and a surface emission type electron emission element housed in the casing such that an electron emission surface thereof opposes to the opening.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes: a vacuum chamber; and an ion trap and a surface emission-type electron emissive element, the ion trap and the surface emission-type electron emissive element being disposed inside the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A multipole ion guide (30) including a plurality of rod electrodes arranged at an angle to the central axis (C) is placed within a collision cell (13) located in the previous stage of an orthogonal accelerator (16). Radio-frequency voltages with opposite phases are applied to the rod electrodes of the ion guide (30) so that any two rod electrodes neighboring each other in the circumferential direction have opposite phases of the voltage. A depth gradient of the pseudopotential is thereby formed from the entrance end toward the exit end within the space surrounded by the rod electrodes, and ions are accelerated by this gradient. During an ion-accumulating process, a direct voltage having the same polarity as the ions is applied to the exit lens electrode (132) to form a potential barrier for accumulating ions. Among the ions repelled by the potential barrier, ions having smaller m/z return closer to the entrance end.

Abstract: A multipole ion guide (30) including a plurality of rod electrodes arranged at an angle to the central axis (C) is placed within a collision cell (13) located in the previous stage of an orthogonal accelerator (16). Radio-frequency voltages with opposite phases are applied to the rod electrodes of the ion guide (30) so that any two rod electrodes neighboring each other in the circumferential direction have opposite phases of the voltage. A depth gradient of the pseudopotential is thereby formed from the entrance end toward the exit end within the space surrounded by the rod electrodes, and ions are accelerated by this gradient. During an ion-accumulating process, a direct voltage having the same polarity as the ions is applied to the exit lens electrode (132) to form a potential barrier for accumulating ions. Among the ions repelled by the potential barrier, ions having smaller m/z return closer to the entrance end.

Abstract: The existence ratio of optical isomers (D-form, L-form) is easily measured. Counterclockwise or clockwise circularly polarized light is applied from a light application unit 6 to ions which are derived from a target compound and are drifting in a drift region 3. The ions absorb light, and a collision cross-section of the ions thus changes, whereby the mobility also changes. Each of the D-form and the L-form has a light absorption rate which is different between counterclockwise circularly polarized light and clockwise circularly polarized light. Therefore, each light absorption rate is examined in advance, and an existence ratio of the D-form and the L-form is calculated, based on the two intensity ratios each of which is the ratio of a peak of the ions having absorbed no light and a peak of the ions having absorbed light, which peaks appear on a drift time spectrum, and based on the light absorption rates of the D-form and the L-form.

Abstract: The existence ratio of optical isomers (D-form, L-form) is easily measured. Counterclockwise or clockwise circularly polarized light is applied from a light application unit 6 to ions which are derived from a target compound and are drifting in a drift region 3. The ions absorb light, and a collision cross-section of the ions thus changes, whereby the mobility also changes. Each of the D-form and the L-form has a light absorption rate which is different between counterclockwise circularly polarized light and clockwise circularly polarized light. Therefore, each light absorption rate is examined in advance, and an existence ratio of the D-form and the L-form is calculated, based on the two intensity ratios each of which is the ratio of a peak of the ions having absorbed no light and a peak of the ions having absorbed light, which peaks appear on a drift time spectrum, and based on the light absorption rates of the D-form and the L-form.

Abstract: An ion reflector has a configuration in which multiple plate electrodes having a rectangular opening are arranged. The components are arranged so that a central axial line extending in the longitudinal direction of the opening lies on a plane which contains a straight line (Y-axis) connecting the centroidal position of an ion distribution in an ion trap and a central position on the detection surface of a detector, and a central axial line (X-axis) of an ion-ejecting direction. If the potential distribution along the central axis of the ion reflector is modified so that a portion of the reflecting field becomes a non-uniform electric field intended for improving isochronism for a group of ions to be detected, an area having an ideal potential distribution for realizing the isochronism is spread in the Y-axis direction.

Abstract: A multipole ion guide (30) including a plurality of rod electrodes arranged at an angle to the central axis (C) is placed within a collision cell (13) located in the previous stage of an orthogonal accelerator (16). Radio-frequency voltages with opposite phases are applied to the rod electrodes of the ion guide (30) so that any two rod electrodes neighboring each other in the circumferential direction have opposite phases of the voltage. A depth gradient of the pseudopotential is thereby formed from the entrance end toward the exit end within the space surrounded by the rod electrodes, and ions are accelerated by this gradient. During an ion-accumulating process, a direct voltage having the same polarity as the ions is applied to the exit lens electrode (132) to form a potential barrier for accumulating ions. Among the ions repelled by the potential barrier, ions having smaller m/z return closer to the entrance end.

Abstract: Used as an ion beam guiding unit for introducing primary ions to the surface of the sample is an ion optical system of reflectron TOFMS for achieving time focusing including an orthogonal acceleration unit for accelerating the ions in the orthogonal direction, a flight space of a non-electric field, and an ion reflector for forming a reflecting electric field. A dual stage type is used as the ion reflector to superimpose the correction potential showing a predetermined non-linear potential distribution on the potential having a linear gradient of a uniform electric field at the side deeper than the second order focusing position that fulfills the Mamyrin solution, thereby correcting the temporal spread of ion packets emitted from the orthogonal acceleration unit until the deviation of third or higher order in energy, achieving high time focusing.

Abstract: An ion reflector has a configuration in which multiple plate electrodes having a rectangular opening are arranged. The components are arranged so that a central axial line extending in the longitudinal direction of the opening lies on a plane which contains a straight line (Y-axis) connecting the centroidal position of an ion distribution in an ion trap and a central position on the detection surface of a detector, and a central axial line (X-axis) of an ion-ejecting direction. If the potential distribution along the central axis of the ion reflector is modified so that a portion of the reflecting field becomes a non-uniform electric field intended for improving isochronism for a group of ions to be detected, an area having an ideal potential distribution for realizing the isochronism is spread in the Y-axis direction.

Abstract: Used as an ion beam guiding unit for introducing primary ions to the surface of the sample is an ion optical system of reflectron TOFMS for achieving time focusing including an orthogonal acceleration unit for accelerating the ions in the orthogonal direction, a flight space of a non-electric field, and an ion reflector for forming a reflecting electric field. A dual stage type is used as the ion reflector to superimpose the correction potential showing a predetermined non-linear potential distribution on the potential having a linear gradient of a uniform electric field at the side deeper than the second order focusing position that fulfills the Mamyrin solution, thereby correcting the temporal spread of ion packets emitted from the orthogonal acceleration unit until the deviation of third or higher order in energy, achieving high time focusing.

Abstract: A first mass analysis is executed in a condition that gas is not introduced into a loop-flight chamber (4), and a time-of-flight spectrum obtained in a data processor (12) is stored in a storage unit (13). Next, a second mass analysis is executed on the same sample as the one used in the first mass analysis in a condition that a valve (8) is opened and helium gas (He) is introduced into the loop-flight chamber (4), and the time-of-flight spectrum is obtained in the data processor (12). If different kinds of ions having the same m/z value exit, these ions form a single peak in the first time-of-flight spectrum, while these ions appear as separate peaks in the second time-of-flight spectrum even though they have the same m/z value. This is because, in the second mass analysis, the ions collide with the gas and have different times of flight depending on their difference in size.

Abstract: In an ion reflector (4) configured from a plurality of electrodes, electrodes 42 disposed in a second stage region (S2) for reflecting ions after deceleration are formed thinner than electrodes (41) disposed in a first stage region (S1) for decelerating the ions. The thin electrodes suppress unevenness of potential, in particular, in a path away from the center axis of the reflector, which results in improvement of isochronism of an ion packet passing on the path. The thick electrodes (41, 43) disposed in the first stage region (S1) prevents stretching of the grid electrodes (G1, G2) from being affected, and unevenness of potential in the first stage region (S1) hardly affects isochronism of the ions. By appropriately adjusting thicknesses and a pitch of the electrodes (41, 42, 43, 44) adjacent to one another so as to align intervals between the electrodes (41, 42, 43, 44), it is possible to use spacers having the same size in common.

Abstract: An electrostatic lens (3), including five cylindrical electrodes (31-35) arrayed along an ion-optical axis (C) and an aperture plate (38) located on a common focal plane of two virtual convex lenses (L1 and L2) formed under an afocal condition, is used as an ion-injecting optical system for sending ions into an orthogonal acceleration unit. The diameter of a restriction aperture (39) formed in the aperture plate (38) determines the angular spread of an exit ion beam. When voltages for making the electrostatic lens (3) function as an afocal system are set, a measurement with high mass-resolving power can be performed at a slight sacrifice of the sensitivity. When voltages for making the lens function as a non-afocal system having the highest ion-passage efficiency are set, a measurement with high sensitivity can be performed at a slight sacrifice of the resolving power.

Abstract: In an ion reflector (4) configured from a plurality of electrodes, electrodes 42 disposed in a second stage region (S2) for reflecting ions after deceleration are formed thinner than electrodes (41) disposed in a first stage region (S1) for decelerating the ions. The thin electrodes suppress unevenness of potential, in particular, in a path away from the center axis of the reflector, which results in improvement of isochronism of an ion packet passing on the path. The thick electrodes (41, 43) disposed in the first stage region (S1) prevents stretching of the grid electrodes (G1, G2) from being affected, and unevenness of potential in the first stage region (S1) hardly affects isochronism of the ions. By appropriately adjusting thicknesses and a pitch of the electrodes (41, 42, 43, 44) adjacent to one another so as to align intervals between the electrodes (41, 42, 43, 44), it is possible to use spacers having the same size in common.