Abstract: The present invention provides a mass spectrometer having an ion lens capable of transporting an ion having a large mass to charge ratio with a high level of ion-passing efficiency even under a low-vacuum atmosphere. In conventional atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometers or similar mass spectrometers, applying an excessively high voltage to the ion lens undesirably causes an electric discharge. Therefore, the passing efficiency for an ion having a large mass to charge ratio cannot be adequately improved, which leads to a poor detection sensitivity. To solve this problem, the mass spectrometer according to the present invention includes a voltage controller 21 that controls a variable radiofrequency (RF) voltage generator 24 so that both the amplitude and the frequency of the RF voltage applied to the lens electrodes of an ion lens 5 are changed according to the mass to charge ratio of an ion to be analyzed.

Abstract: A sample plate 3 with a sample 4 placed thereon is initially set on a stage 2, and a visual image of the sample is taken with a CCD camera 14. This image is stored in an image data memory 23. Then, an operator removes the sample plate 3, sprays a matrix for a MALDI process onto the sample 4 and replaces the plate onto the stage 2. After that, when a predetermined operation is made, a clear image of the sample taken before the application of the matrix is shown on a display unit 24. On this image, the operator specifies a point or area for the analysis. The sample 4 may have been displaced due to the removal and replacement of the plate 3. Accordingly, an image analyzer 44 calculates the direction and magnitude of the displacement, for example, by recognizing the position of the markings provided on the sample plate 3. A displacement corrector 42 computes coordinate values in which the displacement is corrected.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer for carrying out mass analysis while microscopically observing a two-dimensional area of a sample 15, the observation position for selecting a target portion while observing an image of the sample 15 captured with a CCD camera 23 is separated from the analysis position for carrying out the mass analysis of the sample 15 by delivering laser light from the laser-delivering unit 20 onto the sample 15. The sample 15 is placed on a stage 13, which can be precisely moved between the observation position and the analysis position by a stage-driving mechanism 30. An observation optical system 24 can be set close to the sample 15 at the observation position, without impeding the flight of the ions generated from the sample 15 during the analysis or interfering with a laser-condensing optical system 22. Thus, the spatial resolution for observation is improved without deteriorating the ion-detecting efficiency.

Abstract: A sample plate 3 with a sample 4 placed thereon is initially set on a stage 2, and a visual image of the sample is taken with a CCD camera 14. This image is stored in an image data memory 23. Then, an operator removes the sample plate 3, sprays a matrix for a MALDI process onto the sample 4 and replaces the plate onto the stage 2. After that, when a predetermined operation is made, a clear image of the sample taken before the application of the matrix is shown on a display unit 24. On this image, the operator specifies a point or area for the analysis. The sample 4 may have been displaced due to the removal and replacement of the plate 3. Accordingly, an image analyzer 44 calculates the direction and magnitude of the displacement, for example, by recognizing the position of the markings provided on the sample plate 3. A displacement corrector 42 computes coordinate values in which the displacement is corrected.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer for carrying out mass analysis while microscopically observing a two-dimensional area of a sample 15, the observation position for selecting a target portion while observing an image of the sample 15 captured with a CCD camera 23 is separated from the analysis position for carrying out the mass analysis of the sample 15 by delivering laser light from the laser-delivering unit 20 onto the sample 15. The sample 15 is placed on a stage 13, which can be precisely moved between the observation position and the analysis position by a stage-driving mechanism 30. An observation optical system 24 can be set close to the sample 15 at the observation position, without impeding the flight of the ions generated from the sample 15 during the analysis or interfering with a laser-condensing optical system 22. Thus, the spatial resolution for observation is improved without deteriorating the ion-detecting efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mass spectrometer having an ion lens capable of transporting an ion having a large mass to charge ratio with a high level of ion-passing efficiency even under a low-vacuum atmosphere. In conventional atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometers or similar mass spectrometers, applying an excessively high voltage to the ion lens undesirably causes an electric discharge. Therefore, the passing efficiency for an ion having a large mass to charge ratio cannot be adequately improved, which leads to a poor detection sensitivity. To solve this problem, the mass spectrometer according to the present invention includes a voltage controller 21 that controls a variable radiofrequency (RF) voltage generator 24 so that both the amplitude and the frequency of the RF voltage applied to the lens electrodes of an ion lens 5 are changed according to the mass to charge ratio of an ion to be analyzed.

Abstract: An imaging mass spectrometer, an image of a sample is generated, and a region in the image is selected in accordance with predetermined criteria. Then, a mass analysis of the region is performed while scanning the sample in the selected region with a laser beam spot. By computing the total or average of the results in the region, a high precision analytical value in the region can be obtained. In a biological sample, by preliminarily performing a staining process on the biological sample using a certain dye, only the objective tissues can be analyzed. Also, a fluorescence microscope can be used.