Abstract: A system for filtering ions includes first and second surfaces extending along first and second perpendicularly arranged directions, an ion channel between the surfaces configured to receive an ion stream, and first and second electrode arrays associated with the first and second surfaces, respectively. The first and second electrode arrays include a first plurality of electrodes arranged along the first direction and a second plurality of electrodes arranged along the second direction. A controller is configured to apply a first voltage signal to the first plurality of electrodes, which are configured to generate a drive potential traveling along the first direction, and a second voltage signal to the electrode arrays, which are configured to generate an electric potential. The drive and electric potentials are configured to direct ions having mobilities in a first range along a first path and ions having mobilities in a second range along a second path.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an ion funnel and associated systems, where the ion funnel includes a plurality of electrodes each define an opening having an associated inner dimension and receive a RF voltage. The associated inner dimensions progressively reduce in size from approximately a first inner dimension to approximately a second inner dimension. The electrodes define a slope parameter with respect to adjacent electrodes, which is less than 0.04 for at least a majority of the electrodes. Additional systems and methods are provided for transferring ions from an ion funnel to an ion mobility device having a pressure greater than that of the ion funnel, for selectively transferring ions from the ion funnel to the ion mobility device, and for stripping ions of certain molecules adducted thereto during transfer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an ion funnel and associated systems, where the ion funnel includes a plurality of electrodes each define an opening having an associated inner dimension and receive a RF voltage. The associated inner dimensions progressively reduce in size from approximately a first inner dimension to approximately a second inner dimension. The electrodes define an internal chamber having an outer dimension that reduces at a convergence angle of approximately 30 degrees for at least a majority of a length of the internal chamber from the first inner dimension to the second inner dimension. Additional systems and methods are provided for transferring ions from an ion funnel to an ion mobility device having a pressure greater than that of the ion funnel, for selectively transferring ions from the ion funnel to the ion mobility device, and for stripping ions of certain molecules adducted thereto during transfer.

Abstract: A system for separating ions includes first and second surfaces extending along first and second perpendicular directions, an ion channel defined between the surfaces and configured to receive a stream of ions, first and second electrode arrays each including a plurality of electrodes extending in a third direction and respectively associated with the first and second surfaces, means for causing gas to flow across the ion channel in a fourth direction substantially opposite the first direction, and a controller configured to apply a DC voltage gradient to the electrode arrays. The electrode arrays are configured to generate an electric field based on the DC voltage gradient. The electric field and the flow of gas are configured to direct ions having mobilities in a first mobility range along a first path and ions having mobilities in a second mobility range along a second path.

Abstract: A system for filtering ions includes first and second surfaces extending along first and second perpendicularly arranged directions, an ion channel between the surfaces configured to receive an ion stream, and first and second electrode arrays associated with the first and second surfaces, respectively. The first and second electrode arrays include a first plurality of electrodes arranged along the first direction and a second plurality of electrodes arranged along the second direction. A controller is configured to apply a first voltage signal to the first plurality of electrodes, which are configured to generate a drive potential traveling along the first direction, and a second voltage signal to the electrode arrays, which are configured to generate an electric potential. The drive and electric potentials are configured to direct ions having mobilities in a first range along a first path and ions having mobilities in a second range along a second path.

Abstract: Plasmon-enable devices such as ultra-small resonant devices produce electromagnetic radiation at frequencies in excess of microwave frequencies when induced to resonate by a passing electron beam. The resonant devices are surrounded by one or more depressed anodes to recover energy from the passing electron beam as/after the beam couples its energy into the ultra-small resonant devices.

Abstract: Plasmon-enable devices such as ultra-small resonant devices produce electromagnetic radiation at frequencies in excess of microwave frequencies when induced to resonate by a passing electron beam. The resonant devices are surrounded by one or more depressed anodes to recover energy from the passing electron beam as/after the beam couples its energy into the ultra-small resonant devices.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors. At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element. The ion optical elements comprise at least one adjustable electrode, such that the adjustable electrode is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering or exiting the electric sector with which it is associated.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors. At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element. The ion optical elements comprise at least one adjustable electrode, such that the adjustable electrode is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering or exiting the electric sector with which it is associated.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors. At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element. The ion optical elements comprise at least one adjustable electrode, such that the adjustable electrode is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering or exiting the electric sector with which it is associated.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors. At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element. The ion optical elements comprise at least one adjustable electrode, such that the adjustable electrode is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering or exiting the electric sector with which it is associated.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors. At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element. The ion optical elements comprise at least one adjustable electrode, such that the adjustable electrode is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering or exiting the electric sector with which it is associated.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors. At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element. The ion optical elements comprise at least one adjustable electrode, such that the adjustable electrode is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering or exiting the electric sector with which it is associated.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system for performing a separation of ions from neutrals and mass analyzing ions comprising a inductively coupled plasma ion generating source with an ion introducing system, a radio-frequently ion guide and a mass analyzer disposed within a vacuum chamber. The space between the radio-frequency ion guide and the ion introduction system defined an aerodynamic jet region which is used for directing a sample containing ions to be analyzed to the entrance of a radio-frequency ion guide and the via the radio-frequency ion guide to the mass analyzer.

Abstract: A method of operating a quadrupole ion trap as a mass spectrometer, in which the ion mass to be detected is selected by adjusting the three dimensional quadrupole storage field to make the .beta..sub.z value of the selected mass equal to a fixed, predetermined .beta..sub.z value of a narrow range of frequencies excluded from a broadband supplemental RF electric field. The ions are detected to provide a signal corresponding to the amount of the selected ion mass.

Abstract: A method of ion collection over a wide mass-to-charge range from continuous ion source into a quadrupole ion trap filled with a buffer gas directing an ion beam, from an external ion source to a radio frequency ion trap through a gating device for a predetermined period of accumulation time to allow the beam to enter the trap, trapping ions over a range of masses by applying a radio frequency voltage to the trap and changing an amplitude of the radio frequency voltage adiabatically to achieve a uniform trapping efficiency for ions over a predetermined mass range. The predetermined period of accumulation time may be divided into a plurality of segments, and the amplitude of the radio-frequency voltage is changing adiabatically within each segment.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system for performing a separation of ions from neutrals and mass analyzing ions comprising an ion generating source with an ion introduction system, a radio-frequency ion guide and a mass analyzer disposed within a vacuum chamber. The radio-frequency ion guide is positioned with respect to the ion introduction system so that a main axis of the radio-frequency ion guide is angled toward a central axis of the ion introduction system. The trajectory of the ions is diverted toward the main axis of the radio-frequency ion guide while neutrals continue their flow along the central axis. The ions from the ion introduction system are transported via the radio-frequency ion guide to the mass analyzer.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes an ion beam source having a quadrupole ion trap. To form a parallel ion beam, the ions are simultaneously sucked and pulsed out of an interaction region of the trap through an opening in a front end cap electrode of the trap by applying different polarity voltage pulses at the same time to the front end cap electrode and a back end cap electrode of the trap.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer leak detector an ion source assembly is disposed in a cavity of a vacuum envelope and is surrounded by a thin removable liner which has means for positioning this liner within the cavity. The liner positioning means limit the thermal contact of the liner with the vacuum envelope and due to heat-radiation relationship of the liner with the ion source the temperature of the ion source region increases and contamination of the ion source decreases.

Abstract: A method for improving sensivity of a QIT by overcoming deleterious space charge effects on the collection of higher mass ions in a QIT by rejecting residual air gas ions during ionization and by rejecting other ions during ionization employing a 1/m/z weighting of the amplitude of each secular frequency, where m/z is the mass to charge ratio of the ions.