Abstract: A system for applying RF voltages to a multipole ion processing device, configured for use in a mass spectrometer, includes a first RF generator configured to generate a first RF voltage and apply to a first pole electrode set, a second RF generator configured to generate a second RF voltage and apply to a second pole electrode set, a first amplitude adjustor configured to adjust an amplitude of the first RF voltage, a second amplitude adjustor configure to adjust an amplitude of the second RF voltage, and a phase adjustor in communication with the first RF generator and the second RF generator to adjust phase output of at least one of the first RF generator and the second RF generator so as to adjust a phase differential between the first RF voltage and the second RF voltage to be within a desired range.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically switching an ion guide and a TOF mass analyzer between concentrating or not concentrating ions in a targeted acquisition. Product ions are ejected from the ion guide into the TOF mass analyzer and the intensity of a known product ion is measured at two or more time steps. The ion guide initially ejects product ions using a sequential or Zeno pulsing mode that concentrates product ions with different m/z values within the TOF mass analyzer at the same time. If the intensity of the product ion is increasing and greater than a threshold intensity, the ion guide switches to a continuous or normal pulsing mode that does not concentrate ions with different m/z values in the TOF mass analyzer at the same time. Similarly, if the intensity decreases below a threshold in continuous mode, the ion guide switches back to sequential mode.

Abstract: In one aspect, a mass spectrometer is disclosed, which includes an ion path along which an ion beam can propagate, and an ion beam deflector positioned in the ion path and configured to modulate transfer of an ion beam received from an upstream section of the ion path to a downstream section thereof, said ion beam deflector comprising at least one electrically conductive electrode positioned relative to one another to provide an opening through which the ion beam can pass, where the two electrodes are electrically insulated relative to one another so as to allow maintaining each electrode at a DC potential independent of a DC potential at which the other electrode is maintained.

Abstract: An ion mirror for use in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a mirror ring sub-assembly for creating an electric potential field to decelerate incoming ions and accelerate outgoing ions, and a grid sub-assembly comprising one or more grid plates, which define bounds of the electrical potential field of the ion mirror. The mirror ring sub-assembly and the grid sub-assembly are coaxially superposed, and the mirror ring sub-assembly is mechanically engaged with the grid sub-assembly only at one of the grid plates.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically switching an ion guide and a TOF mass analyzer between concentrating or not concentrating ions in a targeted acquisition. Product ions are ejected from the ion guide into the TOF mass analyzer and the intensity of a known product ion is measured at two or more time steps. The ion guide initially ejects product ions using a sequential or Zeno pulsing mode that concentrates product ions with different m/z values within the TOF mass analyzer at the same time. If the intensity of the product ion is increasing and greater than a threshold intensity, the ion guide switches to a continuous or normal pulsing mode that does not concentrate ions with different m/z values in the TOF mass analyzer at the same time. Similarly, if the intensity decreases below a threshold in continuous mode, the ion guide switches back to sequential mode.

Abstract: In one aspect, a curtain and orifice plate assembly for use in a mass spectrometry system is disclosed, which comprises a curtain plate including a first printed circuit board (PCB) having an aperture configured for receiving ions generated by an ion source of the mass spectrometry system and at least one gas-flow channel, where said first PCB has at least one metal coating disposed on at least a portion thereof. The assembly further includes an orifice plate coupled to the curtain plate, which includes a PCB providing an orifice that is substantially aligned with the aperture of the curtain plate so that the ions entering the assembly via said aperture of the curtain plate can exit the assembly via said orifice of the orifice plate, where the second PCB has at least one metal coating disposed on at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, a curtain and orifice plate assembly for use in a mass spectrometry system is disclosed, which comprises a curtain plate including a first printed circuit board (PCB) having an aperture configured for receiving ions generated by an ion source of the mass spectrometry system and at least one gas-flow channel, where said first PCB has at least one metal coating disposed on at least a portion thereof. The assembly further includes an orifice plate coupled to the curtain plate, which includes a PCB providing an orifice that is substantially aligned with the aperture of the curtain plate so that the ions entering the assembly via said aperture of the curtain plate can exit the assembly via said orifice of the orifice plate, where the second PCB has at least one metal coating disposed on at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: A ring stacked accelerator for use in a mass spectrometer includes a plurality of ring shaped plates arranged in a stack and is electrically coupled to a voltage divider that allows a substantially homogeneous electric field to be produced when the stack is energized. The voltage divider can include resistors and capacitors, where the capacitors are chosen to compensate for parasitic capacitances experienced by the plates. The ring stacked accelerator can be energized using an RF pulse. The ring stack accelerator can include one or more balancing capacitors for correcting effects that cause nonlinearity.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and method is provided for a time-of-flight analyzer (TOF) having an accelerator stage with a plurality of electrodes to receive and accelerate a plurality of ions, and a drift chamber downstream of the accelerator stage for receiving at least a portion of the accelerated ions. The TOF analyzer also has a pulser coupled to the accelerator stage for applying one or more voltages to the plurality of electrodes and a controller coupled to the pulser to adjust one or more voltages applied to the electrodes to configure the accelerator stage to receive and accelerate positive and negative ions during different cycles of an ion detection period.

Abstract: A lens pulsing apparatus and method for transferring ions in a mass spectrometry system from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure which includes a gating apparatus that contains multiple electrostatic lenses. Each of the lenses operates at different voltages. The first lens operates at a predetermined fixed voltage and the second lens operates between two different voltages.

Abstract: A ring stacked accelerator for use in a mass spectrometer includes a plurality of ring shaped plates arranged in a stack and is electrically coupled to a voltage divider that allows a substantially homogeneous electric field to be produced when the stack is energized. The voltage divider can include resistors and capacitors, where the capacitors are chosen to compensate for parasitic capacitances experienced by the plates. The ring stacked accelerator can be energized using an RF pulse. The ring stack accelerator can include one or more balancing capacitors for correcting effects that cause nonlinearity.

Abstract: In one aspect, a mass spectrometer is disclosed that includes a time-of-flight analyzer (TOF), which comprises an accelerator stage comprising a plurality of electrodes and adapted to receive and accelerate a plurality of ions, and a drift chamber disposed downstream of said accelerator stage for receiving at least a portion of the accelerated ions. The TOF analyzer further comprises a pulser coupled to the accelerator stage for applying one or more voltages to said plurality of electrodes, and a controller coupled to the pulser and adapted to cause the pulser to adjust said one or more voltages applied to the electrodes so as to configure the accelerator stage to receive and accelerate positive and negative ions during different cycles of an ion detection period.

Abstract: A lens pulsing apparatus and method for transferring ions in a mass spectrometry system from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure which includes a gating apparatus that contains multiple electrostatic lenses. Each of the lenses operates at different voltages. The first lens operates at a predetermined fixed voltage and the second lens operates between two different voltages.