Abstract: Ion sources for use in mass spectrometry (MS) systems are described. The ion sources each comprise an ion funnel and an ionization source configured to ionize neutral analyte molecules.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system an ion source configured to produce ions and a non-metallic capillary configured to receive at least a portion of the ions from the ion source. The capillary includes an elongated body and multiple bores traversing the elongated body in a longitudinal direction. The bores transport the received ions through the capillary toward a mass analyzer of the mass spectrometer system for detection.

Abstract: A vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon source includes a body, a VUV window, electrodes disposed on the body outside an interior thereof, and a dielectric barrier between the electrodes. A method for generating VUV photons includes generating a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in an interior of a photon source by applying a periodic voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a dielectric barrier, wherein the DBD produces excimers from a gas in a gap between the electrodes, and transmitting VUV photons through a window of the photon source.

Abstract: A vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon source includes a body, a VUV window, electrodes disposed on the body outside an interior thereof, and a dielectric barrier between the electrodes. A method for generating VUV photons includes generating a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in an interior of a photon source by applying a periodic voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a dielectric barrier, wherein the DBD produces excimers from a gas in a gap between the electrodes, and transmitting VUV photons through a window of the photon source.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system an ion source configured to produce ions and a non-metallic capillary configured to receive at least a portion of the ions from the ion source. The capillary includes an elongated body and multiple bores traversing the elongated body in a longitudinal direction. The bores transport the received ions through the capillary toward a mass analyzer of the mass spectrometer system for detection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing ions in mass spectrometry is provided. The apparatus includes an ion processing cell having segmented multipole rods and a means for admitting reactive reagent ions to the cell. Provision for timed sequence control of RF and DC voltages to the segmented multipole rods is included. Processing includes trapping analyte ions and subjecting them to selected reactions with reactive reagent ions and/or physical manipulation of the ions by changing the characteristics of the electric field and/or creating discrete regions in the field.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for introducing ions into the primary ion path of a mass spectrometry system. In general, the device contains an electrical lens having a primary ion passageway and a secondary ion passageway that merges with the primary ion passageway. In certain embodiments, the electrical lens contains a first part and a second part that, together, form the primary ion passageway. The first part of the lens may contain the secondary ion passageway.

Abstract: A method for processing ions in mass spectrometry is provided. The method provides for processing ions in a ion processing cell having elongated segmented rods, a circuit for applying RF voltages and a circuit for applying DC voltage selectively to the segments of the segmented rods. The method comprises applying an RF field to the elongated volume, applying DC voltage selectively to the segments to form a plurality of potential regions having discrete potentials; providing analyte ions to a first potential region and processing at least a portion of the analytes in the first potential region. In one embodiment, the potential region is a potential well.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing ions is described. The apparatus includes an ion source, an ion trap positioned to receive ions from the ion source; a time of flight mass analyzer, and a detector operatively coupled to the time of flight. The time of flight mass analyzer includes a pulser region, and the pulser region is positioned to receive ions from the ion trap. The apparatus further includes a scanning delay timing circuit in operable relation to the pulser region. The scanning delay timing circuit is adapted to triggering an extraction pulse at the pulser region. Methods of analyzing ions by mass spectrometry are also described.

Abstract: A multi dynode device (MDD) for electron multiplication and detection and a hybrid detector using the MDD have high peak signal output currents and large dynamic range while preserving the time-dependent information of the input event and avoiding the generation of significant distortions or artifacts on the output signal. The MDD and hybrid detector overcome saturation problems observed in conventional hybrid detectors by providing a unique electron multiplier portion that avoids the path-length differences. The MDD and hybrid detector can be used in mass spectrometry, in particular, time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The MDD comprises a plurality of dynode plates arranged in a stacked configuration. Each dynode plate in the stack has a plurality of apertures for cascading secondary electrons through the stack. Each aperture comprises a mechanical bias or offset with respect to the apertures in adjacent plates. The offset is such that the electrons will impact with one or more of the dynode plates.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for aligning components of an ion optics system particularly as applied to mass spectroscopy apparatus. An apparatus comprises a base having a front face, a rear face and at least one side face, and at least two supports. Each of the supports has at least one face. Each of the supports is affixed to the base by alignment of a portion of at least one face of the base and a portion of at least one face of the support thereby resulting in the alignment of the supports relative to one another. At least one of the supports has attached thereto a component of an ion optics system for a mass spectrometer. In a mass spectroscopy apparatus the support mating faces and the base mating faces are configured and dimensioned such that, when the support mating faces are brought together in registration with the respective base mating faces, the components are optically aligned within acceptable tolerances. Also disclosed are apparatus for making electrical in high vacuum environments.

Abstract: A multi dynode device (MDD) for electron multiplication and detection and a hybrid detector using the MDD have high peak signal output currents and large dynamic range while preserving the time-dependent information of the input event and avoiding the generation of significant distortions or artifacts on the output signal. The MDD and hybrid detector overcome saturation problems observed in conventional hybrid detectors by providing a unique electron multiplier portion that avoids the path-length differences. The MDD and hybrid detector can be used in mass spectrometry, in particular, time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The MDD comprises a plurality of dynode plates arranged in a stacked configuration. Each dynode plate in the stack has a plurality of apertures for cascading secondary electrons through the stack. Each aperture comprises a mechanical bias or offset with respect to the apertures in adjacent plates. The offset is such that the electrons will impact with one or more of the dynode plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and reflecting ions. The ion mirror of the present invention is integral to a mass spectrometer flight tube and includes a front electrode, middle electrode, and a rear electrode. Each of the three electrodes are designed for receiving and reflecting ions. The electrodes of the ion mirror have a conductive material used for creating electric fields that retard and reflect ions back toward an ion detector. The flight tube may be made of an insulating material such as fused silica or quartz.

Abstract: Mass spectometer system and method of use are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment of the mass spectrometry system, among others, includes a radio frequency multipole assembly, an inner structure, and a laser diode array system. The inner structure has an outside, an inside, and an opening. The inner structure substantially surrounds the radio frequency multipole assembly. The laser diode array system is disposed on the outside of the inner structure adjacent the side opening such that laser radiation emitted from the laser diode array system travels through the side opening.

Abstract: A multi dynode device (MDD) for electron multiplication and detection and a hybrid detector using the MDD have high peak signal output currents and large dynamic range while preserving the time-dependent information of the input event and avoiding the generation of significant distortions or artifacts on the output signal. The MDD and hybrid detector overcome saturation problems observed in conventional hybrid detectors by providing a unique electron multiplier portion that avoids the path-length differences. The MDD and hybrid detector can be used in mass spectrometry, in particular, time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The MDD comprises a plurality of dynode plates arranged in a stacked configuration. Each dynode plate in the stack has a plurality of apertures for cascading secondary electrons through the stack. Each aperture comprises a mechanical bias or offset with respect to the apertures in adjacent plates. The offset is such that the electrons will impact with one or more of the dynode plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and reflecting ions. The ion mirror of the present invention is integral to a mass spectrometer flight tube and includes a front electrode, middle electrode, and a rear electrode. Each of the three electrodes are designed for receiving and reflecting ions. The electrodes of the ion mirror have a conductive material used for creating electric fields that retard and reflect ions back toward an ion detector. The flight tube may be made of an insulating material such as fused silica or quartz.

Abstract: An ion acceleration apparatus and method, and a mass spectrometer using the apparatus and method, require only a single pulse generator for the collection and acceleration of ions. The apparatus, method and mass spectrometer are useful in time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). The apparatus, method and spectrometer save on manufacturing costs and complexity, without compromising measurement sensitivity or reliability. The ion acceleration apparatus comprises a plurality of conductive plates comprising a pulser electrode, three grids and preferably, a plurality of frames units, in a stacked relationship. The pulser electrode and a third grid form the outside ends of the ion acceleration apparatus. The plates of the stack are spaced apart and electrically insulated from one another. A power source provides fill, pulse and bias voltages to the plates.

Abstract: A notch filter for selectively removing a target ion with a specific mass-to-charge ratio from an ion beam is provided. The notch filter uses a quadrupole and a power supply for generating an rf electrical potential in the quadrupole. The quadrupole has two pairs of parallel electrodes of opposite polarities. Each pair is comprised of two parallel electrodes having equal electrical potential. The rf electrical potential generated by the power supply is a superposition of an rf quadrupole frequency component and an excision frequency component. The quadrupole has an inlet end and an outlet end and the ion beam traverses from the inlet end to the outlet end. As a result of the rf quadrupole frequency component, ions of above a selected mass-to-charge ratio are guided down the quadrupole. The excision frequency component, which is at the second harmonic of the dominant resonant frequency of the target ion, causes the target ion to resonate and be removed from the ion beam before exiting the quadrupole.

Abstract: A controlled gradient device acts as a reflectron that controls the velocity and direction of a charged particle stream when an external voltage source is applied. An enclosing insulating structure has a metallized contact ring on each end. The interior surface has a resistive coating to provide a continuous electrically resistive surface that generates a desired voltage gradient along the length when a voltage is applied across the metallized contact rings. Each of the metallized contact rings can be a metal mesh that is coincident with a cross-sectional region of the conduit so that the electrical potential is constant at these locations.

Abstract: A hyperbolic ion trap is provided that includes a glass ring electrode and first and second glass end-cap electrodes. Hyperbolic surfaces of the electrodes are coated with a conductive material. The glass ring electrode and glass end-cap electrodes are formed by conforming glass substrates to a refractory mandrel and establishing hyperbolic surfaces thereon using vacuum and heat. Mass spectrometers including a glass hyperbolic ion trap are also provided as well.