Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising an ion mobility separator for separating ions according to their ion mobility is disclosed. The ion mobility separator comprises a plurality of electrodes and one or more transient DC voltages or one or more transient DC voltage waveforms are progressively applied to the electrodes so that ions having a certain ion mobility are separated from other ions having different ion mobilities.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a gas collision cell, reaction cell or collisional cooling cell comprising a plurality of electrodes. DC potentials are progressively applied to the cell so that ions are urged along the cell.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein ions from a pulsed ion source are dispersed in a drift region so that the ions become separated according to their mass to charge ratios. The ions are then received by an ion guide in which multiple trapping regions are created and wherein the multiple trapping regions are translated along the length of the ion guide. The ion guide receives the ions so that all the ions trapped in a particular trapping region have substantially the same or similar mass to charge ratios. The ions are released from the exit of the ion guide and the pusher/puller electrode of an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser is arranged to be energised in synchronisation with the ions emerging from the ion guide. The trapping regions may be translated along the ion guide with a velocity which becomes progressively slower and the delay time of the pusher/puller electrode may be progressively increased.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed having an ion guide which receives ions from either a pulsed ion source or an ion trap, or a continuous ion source. The ion guide emits packets of ions. The pulses of ions emitted from the ion guide may be synchronised with another device such as an ion detector, an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser, an ion trap or a mass filter.

Abstract: An ion tunnel ion trap comprises a plurality of electrodes having apertures. The ion tunnel ion trap is preferably coupled to a time of flight mass analyser.

Abstract: An ion guide is disclosed wherein a travelling DC wave is passed along the length of the ion guide so that ions exit the ion guide having substantially the same velocity.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes a fragmentation cell having a plurality of ring or plate-like electrodes with apertures through which ions are transmitted. An axial DC gradient is preferably maintained along at least a portion of the length of the fragmentation cell in order to improve the transit time of ions through the device.