Abstract: Disclosed herein are scientific instrument support systems, as well as related methods, computing devices, and computer-readable media. For example, in some embodiments, a scientific instrument support apparatus, includes timing logic to determine a maximum time without wetting for a syringe; and rinsing logic to control an autosampler to rinse the syringe when the maximum time without wetting is reached.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system includes a vacuum manifold; an ion source positioned within the vacuum manifold for ionizing a sample; a mass analyzer for analyzing sample ions; a high vacuum pump connected to the vacuum manifold operable to maintain the pressure within the vacuum manifold at an operating pressure; and a controller configured to raise the pressure in the ion source to a sputtering pressure by supplying a flow of a sputtering gas and either reducing a speed of a high vacuum pump or isolating the ion source from the high vacuum pump; cause a conducting material to be sputtered on a surface of the ion source; and reduce the pressure in the ion source to an operating pressure by reducing the flow of the sputtering gas and either increasing the speed of the high vacuum pump or restoring connectivity between the ion source and the high vacuum pump.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes a vacuum chamber, a pump for maintaining a vacuum chamber at an operating vacuum pressure, an ion source, a first mass filter configured to select precursor ions, a collision/reaction cell pressurized with a collision or reaction gas and configured to generate a plurality of product ions from the precursor ions by colliding or reacting the precursor ions with one or more gas particles, and a second mass filter configured to select target ions from the product ions. Also provided are entrance and exit lenses between the collision/reaction cell and the first and second mass filters, respectively, each of which include axially-spaced ion lenses and evacuation chambers between adjacent ion lenses. A plenum fluidly connects the evacuation chambers to the pump inlet to facilitate evacuation of collision or reaction gas escaping the collision/reaction cell to the pump away from the first and second mass filters.

Abstract: Control of an amplitude of a signal applied to rods of a quadrupole is described. In one aspect, a mass spectrometer includes an amplifier circuit that causes a radio frequency (RF) signal to be applied to the rods of the quadrupole. A controller circuit can determine that the actual amplitude of the RF signal differs than the expected amplitude and, in response, identify current and past environmental and performance parameters to adjust the amplitude.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry system having a simplified control interface includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that when executed cause the processor to perform the steps of providing a user interface including a plurality of adjustment elements for adjusting at least one results effective parameter and at least one sample descriptive parameter; determining a plurality of instrument control parameters based on the at least one results effective parameter and the at least one sample descriptive parameter; and analyzing a sample while operating according to the plurality of instrument control parameters.

Abstract: An ion source includes an electron generator, an ionization chamber, and a magnetic field. The electron generator is configured to produce electrons. The ionization chamber has an electron entrance aperture through a first wall, an ion exit aperture through a second wall, and an axis. The ionization chamber is configured to produce ions. The magnetic field is arranged to confine electrons in a beam directed through the electron entrance aperture, in a direction within 45 degrees of parallel to the axis, and towards a location displaced from the ion exit aperture.

Abstract: Control of an amplitude of a signal applied to rods of a quadrupole is described. In one aspect, a mass spectrometer includes an amplifier circuit that causes a radio frequency (RF) signal to be applied to the rods of the quadrupole. A controller circuit can determine that the actual amplitude of the RF signal differs than the expected amplitude and, in response, identify current and past environmental and performance parameters to adjust the amplitude.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer collision cell system, comprising: a gas containment vessel comprising an internal chamber having ion inlet and ion outlet ends and a cross-sectional area, Achamber; a gas inlet aperture; first and second gas outlet apertures that are disposed at or proximal to the ion inlet and outlet ends, respectively, and that have respective outlet aperture cross-sectional areas, Aaperture1 and Aaperture2, and an average outlet aperture cross-sectional area, Aapertureave; a longitudinal axis of the chamber extending from the ion inlet end to the ion outlet end and having a length, Lchamber; and a set of multipole rod electrodes, at least a portion of each multipole rod electrode being within the chamber, wherein the values of Achamber, Lchamber and Aapertureave are such that the combined gas conductance of the chamber and the gas outlet apertures is not greater than 95 percent of the gas conductance of the gas outlet apertures alone.

Abstract: A signal processing assembly for a detector includes a signal amplifier, a control unit, and an offset control module. The signal amplifier is configured to receive an input signal from the detector assembly and to provide an output signal. The control unit is configured to compare a first data point from the output signal with a signal range, and to generate an input bias control signal based upon the comparison. The offset control module is coupled with the control unit and configured to receive the input bias control signal. The offset control module includes a power supply operatively coupled with an input of the signal amplifier, and the offset control module is configured to generate and apply an adaptive input offset signal at the input of the signal amplifier based upon the input bias control signal.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry system having a simplified control interface includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that when executed cause the processor to perform the steps of providing a user interface including a plurality of adjustment elements for adjusting at least one results effective parameter and at least one sample descriptive parameter; determining a plurality of instrument control parameters based on the at least one results effective parameter and the at least one sample descriptive parameter; and analyzing a sample while operating according to the plurality of instrument control parameters.

Abstract: A tuning system may acquire, from a mass spectrometer during a batch of one or more analytical runs performed with the mass spectrometer, tune data associated with an operating characteristic of the mass spectrometer. The tuning system may determine, based on the tune data, a value of an operating parameter configured to adjust the operating characteristic of the mass spectrometer and set the operating parameter to the determined value.

Abstract: An electron multiplier includes a series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a continuous electron emissive resistive surface configured to provide an electron amplification chain; and a housing surrounding the series of electron emissive surfaces or the continuous electron emissive resistive surface and separating the environment inside the housing from the environment outside the housing. The housing includes an electron-transparent, gas-impermeable barrier configured to allow electrons to pass through into the housing to reach a first discrete electron emissive surface of the series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a first portion of the continuous electron emissive resistive surface.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes an ion source configured to produce ions from a sample; a set of quadrupole rods configured to select ions based on a mass-to-charge ratio; a DC rod driver configured to produce a voltage; a DC rod driver filter configured to filter RF frequency interference; and a controller. The controller is configured to utilize the results of the constrained convex optimization to cause a DC rod drive to produce the DC filter input and provide a required voltage to the set of quadrupole rods, the constrained convex utilizing a impulse response curve of the DC rod driver filter to determine a DC filter input to achieve the required voltage on the set of quadrupole rods; select ions passing through the set of quadrupole rods based on the mass-to-charge ratio; and measure the intensity of the ions.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry system having a simplified control interface includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that when executed cause the processor to perform the steps of providing a user interface including a plurality of adjustment elements for adjusting at least one results effective parameter and at least one sample descriptive parameter; determining a plurality of instrument control parameters based on the at least one results effective parameter and the at least one sample descriptive parameter; and analyzing a sample while operating according to the plurality of instrument control parameters.

Abstract: Control of an amplitude of a signal applied to rods of a quadrupole is described. In one aspect, a mass spectrometer includes an amplifier circuit that causes a radio frequency (RF) signal to be applied to the rods of the quadrupole based on an amplifier RF input signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can generate a digital representation of the RF signal. A controller circuit can receive the digital representation and adjust an amplitude of the amplifier RF input signal based on differences between an amplitude of a fundamental frequency of the RF signal being different than an expected amplitude.

Abstract: A signal processing assembly for a detector includes a signal amplifier, a control unit, and an offset control module. The signal amplifier is configured to receive an input signal from the detector assembly and to provide an output signal. The control unit is configured to compare a first data point from the output signal with a signal range, and to generate an input bias control signal based upon the comparison. The offset control module is coupled with the control unit and configured to receive the input bias control signal. The offset control module includes a power supply operatively coupled with an input of the signal amplifier, and the offset control module is configured to generate and apply an adaptive input offset signal at the input of the signal amplifier based upon the input bias control signal.

Abstract: A tuning system may acquire, from a mass spectrometer during a batch of one or more analytical runs performed with the mass spectrometer, tune data associated with an operating characteristic of the mass spectrometer. The tuning system may determine, based on the tune data, a value of an operating parameter configured to adjust the operating characteristic of the mass spectrometer and set the operating parameter to the determined value.

Abstract: Control of an amplitude of a signal applied to rods of a quadrupole is described. In one aspect, a mass spectrometer includes an amplifier circuit that causes a radio frequency (RF) signal to be applied to the rods of the quadrupole. A controller circuit can determine that the actual amplitude of the RF signal differs than the expected amplitude and, in response, identify current and past environmental and performance parameters to adjust the amplitude.

Abstract: An electron multiplier includes a series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a continuous electron emissive resistive surface configured to provide an electron amplification chain; and a housing surrounding the series of electron emissive surfaces or the continuous electron emissive resistive surface and separating the environment inside the housing from the environment outside the housing. The housing includes an electron-transparent, gas-impermeable barrier configured to allow electrons to pass through into the housing to reach a first discrete electron emissive surface of the series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a first portion of the continuous electron emissive resistive surface.

Abstract: Control of an amplitude of a signal applied to rods of a quadrupole is described. In one aspect, a mass spectrometer includes an amplifier circuit that causes a radio frequency (RF) signal to be applied to the rods of the quadrupole. A controller circuit can determine that the actual amplitude of the RF signal differs than the expected amplitude and, in response, identify current and past environmental and performance parameters to adjust the amplitude.