Abstract: An alkali metal introduction apparatus (1) includes: a dedicated fracture chamber (10) and a vacuum chamber (20); vacuum pumps (60a) and (60b) for evacuating the insides of the dedicated fracture chamber (10) and the vacuum chamber (20); an ampul fracturing section for causing, in the dedicated fracture chamber (10), an alkali metal encapsulated in an ampul (16) to be exposed out of the ampul (16) by deforming the ampul (16); a collision cell (40) configured to allow the ampul (16) to be introduced therein, the collision room (40) being provided inside the vacuum chamber (20); and an ampul introducing section (12) for moving the ampul (16) between an exposure position where the alkali metal encapsulated in the ampul (16) is to be exposed out of the ampul (16) thus deformed and an introduction position where the ampul (16) is to be introduced into the collision cell (40).

Abstract: An alkali metal introduction apparatus (1) includes: a dedicated fracture chamber (10) and a vacuum chamber (20); vacuum pumps (60a) and (60b) for evacuating the insides of the dedicated fracture chamber (10) and the vacuum chamber (20); an ampul fracturing section for causing, in the dedicated fracture chamber (10), an alkali metal encapsulated in an ampul (16) to be exposed out of the ampul (16) by deforming the ampul (16); a collision cell (40) configured to allow the ampul (16) to be introduced therein, the collision room (40) being provided inside the vacuum chamber (20); and an ampul introducing section (12) for moving the ampul (16) between an exposure position where the alkali metal encapsulated in the ampul (16) is to be exposed out of the ampul (16) thus deformed and an introduction position where the ampul (16) is to be introduced into the collision cell (40).

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: 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 laser irradiation mass spectrometer capable of analyzing components of living tissue or living cells with high accuracy. It includes a laser unit for irradiating a sample with a beam of laser light and controlling the irradiation spot of the laser beam on the sample; and a mass analyzer for performing a mass analysis of the ions generated at the irradiation spot, where the mass analyzer uses a frequency-driven ion trap and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to carry out the mass analysis. The ion trap of this system assuredly traps ions having large mass to charge ratios, and enables the system to carry out analyses on samples of large molecules. Preferably, a digital driving method is used to drive the aforementioned frequency-driven ion trap. Also, a multi-turn time-of-flight mass spectrometer may preferably be used as the aforementioned time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser irradiation mass spectrometer capable of analyzing components of living tissue or living cells with high accuracy. It includes a laser unit for irradiating a sample with a beam of laser light and controlling the irradiation spot of the laser beam on the sample; and a mass analyzer for performing a mass analysis of the ions generated at the irradiation spot, where the mass analyzer uses a frequency-driven ion trap and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to carry out the mass analysis. The ion trap of this system assuredly traps ions having large mass to charge ratios, and enables the system to carry out analyses on samples of large molecules. Preferably, a digital driving method is used to drive the aforementioned frequency-driven ion trap. Also, a multi-turn time-of-flight mass spectrometer may preferably be used as the aforementioned time-of-flight mass spectrometer.