Abstract: A technique for time interval measurement is provided. First and second signal components are received, sampled and digitized. The first signal component is derived from a trigger signal that causes or indicates generation 5 of the second signal component. A time interval between the first and second signal components is determined based on a reference time defined by the sampled and digitized first signal component and based on a reference time defined by the sampled and digitized second signal component.

Abstract: A method of ejecting ions to be analyzed from a quadrupole ion trap in which a trapping field is created by one or more RF voltages applied to one or more electrodes of the trap, the method comprising the steps of cooling the ions to be analyzed within the quadrupole ion trap until the ions are thermalized, reducing the amplitude of one or more RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap and applying the reduced amplitude RF voltages for one half cycle after the one or more RF voltages have reached a zero crossing point, turning off the RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap, and ejecting the ions to be analyzed from the quadrupole ion trap.

Abstract: A technique for time interval measurement is provided. First and second signal components are received, sampled and digitized. The first signal component is derived from a trigger signal that causes or indicates generation 5 of the second signal component. A time interval between the first and second signal components is determined based on a reference time defined by the sampled and digitized first signal component and based on a reference time defined by the sampled and digitized second signal component.

Abstract: A method of ejecting ions to be analyzed from a quadrupole ion trap in which a trapping field is created by one or more RF voltages applied to one or more electrodes of the trap, the method comprising the steps of cooling the ions to be analyzed within the quadrupole ion trap until the ions are thermalized, reducing the amplitude of one or more RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap and applying the reduced amplitude RF voltages for one half cycle after the one or more RF voltages have reached a zero crossing point, turning off the RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap, and ejecting the ions to be analyzed from the quadrupole ion trap.

Abstract: A method of ejecting ions to be analyzed from a quadrupole ion trap in which a trapping field is created by one or more RF voltages applied to one or more electrodes of the trap, the method comprising the steps of cooling the ions to be analyzed within the quadrupole ion trap until the ions are thermalized, reducing the amplitude of one or more RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap and applying the reduced amplitude RF voltages for one half cycle after the one or more RF voltages have reached a zero crossing point, turning off the RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap, and ejecting the ions to be analyzed from the quadrupole ion trap.

Abstract: A method of ejecting ions to be analysed from a quadrupole ion trap in which a trapping field is created by one or more RF voltages applied to one or more electrodes of the trap, the method comprising the steps of cooling the ions to be analysed within the quadrupole ion trap until the ions are thermalized, reducing the amplitude of one or more RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap and applying the reduced amplitude RF voltages for one half cycle after the one or more RF voltages have reached a zero crossing point, turning off the RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap, and ejecting the ions to be analysed from the quadrupole ion trap.

Abstract: A preamplifier is provided for correction of overshoot or undershoot effects present in a signal received from a charged particle detection electrode. The preamplifier is ground-isolated from the charged particle detection electrode and comprises: a main amplification stage, configured to receive and amplify the isolated signal; a feed-forward stage, configured to generate a compensation signal from the amplified ground-isolated signal, the compensation signal being generated to mirror the overshoot or undershoot effects; and an output, arranged to provide an output signal that is a combination of the amplified ground-isolated signal and the compensation signal. A charged particle detection arrangement comprising the preamplifier is also provided.

Abstract: A preamplifier is provided for correction of overshoot or undershoot effects present in a signal received from a charged particle detection electrode. The preamplifier is ground-isolated from the charged particle detection electrode and comprises: a main amplification stage, configured to receive and amplify the isolated signal; a feed-forward stage, configured to generate a compensation signal from the amplified ground-isolated signal, the compensation signal being generated to mirror the overshoot or undershoot effects; and an output, arranged to provide an output signal that is a combination of the amplified ground-isolated signal and the compensation signal. A charged particle detection arrangement comprising the preamplifier is also provided.