Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising: an ion detector; ion optics for guiding ions to the ion detector; one or more voltage supply for supplying voltages to said ion optics; control circuitry for controlling the one or more voltage supply so as to switch the ion optics between operating in a first mode in which the ion optics are unable to transmit ions having a first mass to charge ratio or first polarity to the ion detector and a second mode in which the ion optics are able to transmit ions having said first mass to charge ratio or first polarity to the ion detector for a time period; and to repeatedly switch between the first and second modes a plurality of times; and a processor and circuitry configured to: (i) determine the intensity of an ion signal detected by the detector at a first time in each of the time periods that the ion optics are in the second mode; and (ii) determine the intensity of the ion signal detected by the detector at a second, later time in each of the time periods that the i

Abstract: A method of operating a quadrupole device is disclosed. The method comprises operating the quadrupole device in a first mode of operation, wherein ions within a first mass to charge ratio range are selected and/or transmitted by the quadrupole device, and operating the quadrupole device in a second mode of operation, wherein ions within a second different mass to charge ratio range are selected and/or transmitted by the quadrupole device. In the first mode of operation, the quadrupole device is operated in a normal mode of operation wherein a main drive voltage is applied to the quadrupole device, or in a first X-band or Y-band mode of operation wherein a main drive voltage and two or more auxiliary drive voltages are applied to the quadrupole device. In the second mode of operation, the quadrupole device is operated in a second X-band or Y-band mode of operation wherein a main drive voltage and two or more auxiliary drive voltages are applied to the quadrupole device.

Abstract: A method of processing an input data stream including at least one data peak (2), comprising: detecting at least one peak (2) in the input data stream having an apex with an amplitude above a predetermined threshold (4); and extrapolating (30) the segment of the peak which has an amplitude above the predetermined threshold (7, 8), based on a shape characteristic of the peak (2), to estimate the amplitude of the segments of the peak which have an amplitude less than said threshold (15, 16).

Abstract: A method of operating a quadrupole device is disclosed. The method comprises operating the quadrupole device in a first mode of operation, wherein ions within a first mass to charge ratio range are selected and/or transmitted by the quadrupole device, and operating the quadrupole device in a second mode of operation, wherein ions within a second different mass to charge ratio range are selected and/or transmitted by the quadrupole device. In the first mode of operation, the quadrupole device is operated in a normal mode of operation wherein a main drive voltage is applied to the quadrupole device, or in a first X-band or Y-band mode of operation wherein a main drive voltage and two or more auxiliary drive voltages are applied to the quadrupole device. In the second mode of operation, the quadrupole device is operated in a second X-band or Y-band mode of operation wherein a main drive voltage and two or more auxiliary drive voltages are applied to the quadrupole device.

Abstract: A mass filter is disclosed having at least one electrode (42-48) comprising an aperture (43) or recess. Voltages are applied to the electrodes (42-48) of the mass filter such that ions having mass to charge ratios in a desired range are confined by the electrodes and are transmitted along and through the mass filter, whereas ions (47,49) having mass to charge ratios outside of said desired range are unstable and pass into the aperture (43) or recess such that they are filtered out by the mass filter. The aperture (43) or recess reduces or eliminates the number of ions that would otherwise impact the electrode surface facing the ion transmission axis and hence reduces degradation of the ion transmission properties of the mass filter.

Abstract: A mass filter is disclosed having at least one electrode (42-48) comprising an aperture (43) or recess. Voltages are applied to the electrodes (42-48) of the mass filter such that ions having mass to charge ratios in a desired range are confined by the electrodes and are transmitted along and through the mass filter, whereas ions (47,49) having mass to charge ratios outside of said desired range are unstable and pass into the aperture (43) or recess such that they are filtered out by the mass filter. The aperture (43) or recess reduces or eliminates the number of ions that would otherwise impact the electrode surface facing the ion transmission axis and hence reduces degradation of the ion transmission properties of the mass filter.

Abstract: A mass filter is disclosed having at least one electrode (42-48) comprising an aperture (43) or recess. Voltages are applied to the electrodes (42-48) of the mass filter such that ions having mass to charge ratios in a desired range are confined by the electrodes and are transmitted along and through the mass filter, whereas ions (47,49) having mass to charge ratios outside of said desired range are unstable and pass into the aperture (43) or recess such that they are filtered out by the mass filter. The aperture (43) or recess reduces or eliminates the number of ions that would otherwise impact the electrode surface facing the ion transmission axis and hence reduces degradation of the ion transmission properties of the mass filter.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising detecting the ions transmitted by a mass filter (4) with a detector (6); changing the RF and/or DC voltage applied to the mass filter (4) during a voltage transition period so as to change the mass to charge ratio capable of being transmitted by the mass filter (4); preventing ions from reaching the detector during the voltage transition period; and allowing ions to be transmitted to the detector (6) after the voltage transition period.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a plurality of species of ions; analyzing the ions during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods so as to obtain spectral data relating to the ions; varying the value of an operational parameter of the spectrometer such that it has different values during the different acquisition periods, wherein the spectral data obtained for a given ion varies depending on the value of the operational parameter; storing the spectral data obtained during the different acquisition periods separately; selecting a target ion; and then interrogating the spectral data so as to identify a set of first acquisition periods that include data corresponding to said target ion. Selecting spectral data from only a subset of the first acquisition periods allows the selection of the optimal spectral data for the target ion, while discarding less optimal data.

Abstract: A mass filter is disclosed having at least one electrode (42-48) comprising an aperture (43) or recess. Voltages are applied to the electrodes (42-48) of the mass filter such that ions having mass to charge ratios in a desired range are confined by the electrodes and are transmitted along and through the mass filter, whereas ions (47,49) having mass to charge ratios outside of said desired range are unstable and pass into the aperture (43) or recess such that they are filtered out by the mass filter. The aperture (43) or recess reduces or eliminates the number of ions that would otherwise impact the electrode surface facing the ion transmission axis and hence reduces degradation of the ion transmission properties of the mass filter.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising detecting the ions transmitted by a mass filter (4) with a detector (6); changing the RF and/or DC voltage applied to the mass filter (4) during a voltage transition period so as to change the mass to charge ratio capable of being transmitted by the mass filter (4); preventing ions from reaching the detector during the voltage transition period; and allowing ions to be transmitted to the detector (6) after the voltage transition period.

Abstract: Techniques for confidential delivery of entropy and random data over a network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a client device may receive a first set of random numbers from a server and transform the first set using a second set of random numbers to generate a third set of random numbers. The client device may update a client secret key based on a first subset of the third set of random numbers and determine a re-key interval based on a second subset of the third set of random numbers. Also in some embodiments, the server may encrypt random numbers using a first key before sending to the client, and the client may decrypt the random numbers using a second, different and unrelated key to derive a different set of random numbers. By using mismatched keys, the client may preserve the confidentiality of the random numbers it ultimately uses.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a plurality of species of ions; analysing the ions during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods so as to obtain spectral data relating to the ions; varying the value of an operational parameter of the spectrometer such that it has different values during the different acquisition periods, wherein the spectral data obtained for a given ion varies depending on the value of the operational parameter; storing the spectral data obtained during the different acquisition periods separately; selecting a target ion; and then interrogating the spectral data so as to identify a set of first acquisition periods that include data corresponding to said target ion. Selecting spectral data from only a subset of the first acquisition periods allows the selection of the optimal spectral data for the target ion, whilst discarding less optimal data.

Abstract: A method of processing an input data stream including at least one data peak (2), comprising: detecting at least one peak (2) in the input data stream having an apex with an amplitude above a predetermined threshold (4); and extrapolating (30) the segment of the peak which has an amplitude above the predetermined threshold (7, 8), based on a shape characteristic of the peak (2), to estimate the amplitude of the segments of the peak which have an amplitude less than said threshold (15, 16).

Abstract: A method of generating spectral data comprising the steps of deriving a temporally separated sample from a temporal separation device and subjecting the temporally separated sample to an analysis involving scanning at least one spectrally significant parameter, wherein the analysis is performed so that at least two scans in succession are in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method of generating spectral data comprising the steps of deriving a temporally separated sample from a temporal separation device and subjecting the temporally separated sample to an analysis involving scanning at least one spectrally significant parameter, wherein the analysis is performed so that at least two scans in succession are in opposite directions

Abstract: A capacitor assembly (1) for measuring the level of radio frequency voltage in a mass spectrometer. The assembly (1) includes an RF sensing capacitor (2) with first and second capacitor plates (3, 4), a rectifying circuit (5) and a vacuum housing feedthrough (6), all of which are mounted within a vacuum enclosure of the mass spectrometer. The first capacitor plate (3) is adapted for connection to a voltage source and mounted within the enclosure by first insulating spacers (31). The second capacitor plate (4) is nested within the first insulating spacers (31) and mounted within the enclosure by second insulating spacers (41). The rectifying circuit (5) is electrically connected to the second capacitor plate (4) and to the vacuum housing feedthrough (6).

Abstract: A capacitor assembly (1) for measuring the level of radio frequency voltage in a mass spectrometer. The assembly (1) includes an RF sensing capacitor (2) with first and second capacitor plates (3, 4), a rectifying circuit (5) and a vacuum housing feedthrough (6), all of which are mounted within a vacuum enclosure of the mass spectrometer. The first capacitor plate (3) is adapted for connection to a voltage source and mounted within the enclosure by first insulating spacers (31). The second capacitor plate (4) is nested within the first insulating spacers (31) and mounted within the enclosure by second insulating spacers (41). The rectifying circuit (5) is electrically connected to the second capacitor plate (4) and to the vacuum housing feedthrough (6).

Abstract: A system and method for preparing mail pieces is disclosed. A business provides one or more designs for a mail piece to a data center, which converts the designs to a format suitable for viewing via an on-line network connection utilizing a browser. A custom Web site for the business is created and accessed by the business's employees. A defined design for a mail piece is selected, information to be included on the mail piece is provided, and a mailing list is provided to the data center. Multiple requests for mailings are combined by the data center into a single print run and arranged in a presort sequence to allow for postal discounts. The aggregated mailing is printed, and the entire mailing is mailed by the data center.

Abstract: An adhesive formulated from one or more organic components that have FDA approval for resinous and polymeric coating used as a food-contact surface is provided, wherein the adhesive is in accordance with the definition of “adhesive” presented in the February 1996 version of the draft European standard booklet EN 923:199X as compiled by the European Committee for Standardisation.