Abstract: A method of analysing a target is disclosed comprising ablating a portion of a target so as to cause an aerosol plume to be produced and light or other electromagnetic radiation to be emitted. The aerosol plume is analysed using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry and the emitted light or other electromagnetic radiation is analysed using optical spectroscopy in order to determine one or more regions of interest of the target and/or one or more margins or bounds of a region of interest of the target.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed comprising a first ion source (210) arranged and adapted to emit a spray of charged droplets (211) and a detector or sensor (203) arranged and adapted automatically to detect, sense or determine one or more first parameters or properties of the spray of charged droplets (211) as the spray of charged droplets (211) impacts upon a surface of the detector or sensor 203. The apparatus further comprises a control system (204) arranged and adapted to adjust, correct and/or optimise one or more second parameters or properties of the spray of charged droplets (211) based on the one or more first parameters or properties of the spray of charged droplets (211) detected, sensed or determined by the detector or sensor (203).

Abstract: A method of analysing a target is disclosed comprising ablating a portion of a target so as to cause an aerosol plume to be produced and light or other electromagnetic radiation to be emitted. The aerosol plume is analysed using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry and the emitted light or other electromagnetic radiation is analysed using optical spectroscopy in order to determine one or more regions of interest of the target and/or one or more margins or bounds of a region of interest of the target.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed comprising a first ion source (210) arranged and adapted to emit a spray of charged droplets (211) and a detector or sensor (203) arranged and adapted automatically to detect, sense or determine one or more first parameters or properties of the spray of charged droplets (211) as the spray of charged droplets (211) impacts upon a surface of the detector or sensor 203. The apparatus further comprises a control system (204) arranged and adapted to adjust, correct and/or optimise one or more second parameters or properties of the spray of charged droplets (211) based on the one or more first parameters or properties of the spray of charged droplets (211) detected, sensed or determined by the detector or sensor (203).

Abstract: A mass analyzer (2) is provided comprising a plurality of electrodes having apertures through which ions are transmitted in use. A plurality of seudo-potential corrugations are created along the axis of the mass analyzer (2). The amplitude or depth of the pseudo-potential corrugations is inversely proportional to the mass to charge ratio of an ion. One or more transient DC voltages are applied to the electrodes of the mass analyzer (2) in order to urge ions along the length of the mass analyzer (2). The amplitude of the transient DC voltages applied to the electrodes is increased with time and ions are caused to be emitted from the mass analyzer (2) in reverse order of mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: A mass analyser (2) is provided comprising a plurality of electrodes having apertures through which ions are transmitted in use. A plurality of seudo-potential corrugations are created along the axis of the mass analyser (2). The amplitude or depth of the pseudo-potential corrugations is inversely proportional to the mass to charge ratio of an ion. One or more transient DC voltages are applied to the electrodes of the mass analyser (2) in order to urge ions along the length of the mass analyser (2). The amplitude of the transient DC voltages applied to the electrodes is increased with time and ions are caused to be emitted from the mass analyser (2) in reverse order of mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion beam attenuator which attenuates an ion beam repeatedly switching between a zero transmission mode of operation during a time period ?T1 and a non-zero transmission mode of operation during a time period ?T2. The degree of attenuation of the ion beam can be varied by varying the mark space ratio ?T2/?T1. The ion beam attenuator may release ions in packets or pulses but the packets or pulses of ions may be converted into a continuous ion beam by a relatively high pressure ion guide or gas collision cell arranged downstream of the ion beam attenuator.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer or separator (4) and an ion guide (6) arranged downstream of the ion mobility spectrometer or separator (4). A plurality of axial potential wells are created in the ion guide (6) so that ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator (4) become confined in separate axial potential wells. The potential wells maintain the fidelity and/or composition of ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator (4). The potential wells are translated along the length of the ion guide (6).

Abstract: Methods, based on the Wittig-Horner reaction, are provided for the synthesis of compounds of formula (I) where m is from 5-150, X and Y are independently selected from: CN, H, OH, COCH3, CO2H, CO2H, CO2R1, where R1 is C1-12 alkyl, NCS, SCN, CF3, CH2X where X is F, Cl, Br, OH, CHF2 and formula (IB), where J for each X and Y group is independently selected from: CH2, single covalent bond, OOC, CO2, O, CH2O, OCH2, CH2CO2, CH2OOC; p=1-20; L for each X and Y group is independently selected from: O, CH2OCO, CO2, S, NH; (a) is defined by formula (IC), where rings A, B and C are independently selected from phenyl, cyclohexyl, pyridine and pyrimidine and may be independently of each other substituted with at least one of Cl or F; linking groups A and B may be selected from single bond, CO2, OOC, CH2O, OCH2, CH2CH2, C≡C; Z is selected from CN, F, Cl, NO2, R, OR, CO2R, CF3, OOCR, NCS, SCN, where R=straight chain or branched chain alkyl and may include from 1-16 carbon atoms and incl