Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for analyzing a sample using overlapping precursor isolation windows. A mass analyzer of a tandem mass spectrometer is instructed to select and fragment at least two overlapping precursor isolation windows across a precursor ion mass range of a sample using a processor. The tandem mass spectrometer includes a mass analyzer that allows overlapping precursor isolation windows across the mass range of the sample.

Abstract: An ion mass spectrometer that has an ion channel shaped to modify the speed of a carrier gas as the carrier gas traverses the ion channel. In one case, the ion channel has a tapered shape, which continuously varies the gas flow rate. This arrangement is made using conductors located in the drift tube. This controlled variation in speed together with the control of the axial electric field in the ion channel, provide greater control on the separation of ions in the ion channel. A method of analyzing ions based on a variation of at least one of axial electric field and of the speed of the flowing gas in the ion channel is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a system for processing gas, a gas analyzer in a gas analyzer chamber measures a quantity of ions generated from a gas. An ionization source includes an ionization chamber and an electron source for generating ions for the gas analyzer. The ionization chamber encompasses an ionization region in which particles of the gas are charged to form the ions. A channel directs the gas from a gas source into the ionization chamber, and the channel extends to a surface of the ionization chamber. An ionization source vacuum pump is in gaseous communication with the ionization chamber via a substantially large opening, and operates to draw gas from the ionization chamber.

Abstract: A pulsed accelerator for a Time of Flight mass spectrometers comprising a set of parallel electrodes. The accelerator is inclined at an oblique angle to the incoming ion beam defined by the ratio of the incoming ion beam velocity spreads axial and transverse to the beam. Additionally a deflection electrode is included to deflect unwanted ions away from the detector during the fill cycle of the accelerator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion mobility spectrometer which has at least a first drift chamber and a first switchable ion gate for the controlled transfer of ions into the first drift chamber, wherein: —the first ion gate is designed as a field switching ion gate having at least a first counter electrode and a first injection electrode; wherein—a first ionization chamber is formed between the first counter electrode and the first injection electrode, into which first ionization chamber ions to be analyzed by ion mobility spectrometry can be fed from an ionization source. The invention also relates to an ion mobility spectrometer which has at least a first drift chamber and a first switchable ion gate for the controlled transfer of ions into the first drift chamber and a second drift chamber separated from the first drift chamber and a second switchable ion gate for the controlled transfer of ions into the second drift chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to hybrid IMS/MS systems and provides hybrid IMS/MS system comprising an RF funnel, an ion mobility analyzer and a mass analyzer wherein the RF funnel is arranged non-collinearly to the ion mobility analyzer, preferably a TIMS analyzer (TIMS=trapped ion mobility spectrometry).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is placed in parallel with the first electrode to provide constant gap distance. The gap between the first electrode and the second electrode is at atmospheric pressure. Ions are introduced into the center of the gap and travel through the apparatus in a direction parallel to the first electrode and the second electrode. The apparatus is configured as a high-field symmetric-waveform apparatus for filtering high mobility ions or for fragmenting ions. The apparatus is also configured for three modes of operation: as a conventional DMS; as a filter high mobility ions; and as fragmentation device. A symmetric electric field is produced in the gap with a maximum density normalized field strength greater than 10 Td to filter high mobility ions and with a maximum density normalized field strength greater than 100 Td to fragment ions.

Abstract: In general, a liquid phase ion mobility spectrometer is described in which ions in a drift chamber are pushed against an increasing retarding electric field by means of liquid flow. In some examples, a method comprises ionizing an analyte to generate ions; introducing the ions into a separation region of a drift chamber; directing, at a velocity, a liquid flow through the separation region to apply first forces to the ions within the separation region of the drift chamber; using an electric field with a non-zero gradient, applying second forces to the ions within a separation region of a drift chamber, the second forces counter the first forces; modifying at least one of the velocity or the electric field; and after modifying at least one of the velocity or the electric field, detecting the ions at an ion detector to generate a signal.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer analytical instrument, including an ion mobility spectrometer, a swab interface, and a desorber assembly. The desorber assembly includes a heat transfer device configured to heat a desorber, as well as a supply configured to direct gas through the desorber. The instrument further includes a drift tube, high voltage device arrayed, at least in part, proximate to the drift tube, wherein the high voltage device is configured to change a polarity of a voltage applied to the drift tube and have an absolute voltage of about 500 to 1500 volts. The instrument further includes a reactant supply unit adapted to supply reactant during a sample substance analysis, and a control unit.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer for analyzing a vapor sample including a multi-ring ion source for receiving a vapor sample, wherein the multi-ring ion source includes a series of rings, wherein each ring of the multi-ring ion source includes an ionizing layer on an inner surface thereof, for charging at least a portion of the vapor sample and creating an ionized vapor sample.

Abstract: There is provided an atmospheric pressure air microplasma system designed for random bit generation including a plurality of plasma electrodes, a power supply module supplying a DC voltage for igniting an arc discharge between the plurality of plasma electrodes, wherein the ignited arc discharge results in establishing and sustaining an arc current channel between the plurality of plasma electrodes, a current probe for measuring and collecting electric current time series data from the arc current channel, and a data acquisition board connected to the current probe for saving the collected electric current time series data, wherein binary sequences are generated from the electric current time series data. Further, the generated binary sequences are proven to pass all 15 tests of NIST Statistical Test Suite and thereby prove to qualify as random sequences.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a method of separating ions according to their ion mobility, comprising (i) accumulating a first population of ions in a first region of an ion mobility separator, (ii) separating said first population of ions according to their ion mobility in said first region of said ion mobility separator, and (iii) accumulating a second population of ions in said first region of said ion mobility separator whilst said first population of ions are being separated according to their ion mobility in said ion mobility separator.

Abstract: Synchronized ion modification systems and techniques are described. An ion modifier can be used to modify a portion of ions that enter a drift chamber via a gate that controls entry of the ions to the drift chamber. A controller that is communicatively coupled to the ion modifier is configured to control the ion modifier to select a portion of the ion to be modified. In embodiments, the controller selects the portion based on a detector's previous response to other ions that are formed from a sample from which the ions were formed. The other ions, for example, correspond to ions that are associated with a peak in previous operation of a spectrometer.

Abstract: An analysis apparatus includes an ionization section, an ion separation section, and an ion detection section. The ionization section generates one or more sample component-derived ions. The ion separation section separates the ions in accordance with mobility of the ions. The ion detection section detects the ion which passes through the ion separation section. The ionization section includes a reaction chamber and an electron emission element. A sample is introduced to the reaction chamber. The electron emission element emits an electron to the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides ion mobility analyzer and analysis method. The analyzer includes an ion source, a first drift/analyzer region provided with an ions entrance, a second drift/analyzer region provided with an ions exit, a connection region connecting the first drift/analyzer region and the second drift/analyzer region, and a detector connected to the ion exit. Direct current electric fields and gas flows in the first drift/analyzer region and the second drift/analyzer region apply opposing forces on ions, and first and second gas flows have the same gas flow direction. The connection region includes a third direct current electric field that causes ions to transfer from the first drift/analyzer region to the second drift/analyzer region. Because the first and second regions have the same gas flow direction, the invention achieves stable resolution and sensitivity as a high-resolution ion mobility analyzer and/or an ion mobility filter for a continuous ion beam.

Abstract: An analytical device for analysing ions is provided comprising a separator 2 for separating ions according to a physico-chemical property and an interface 3 comprising one or more ion guides. A quadrupole rod set mass filter 4 is arranged downstream of the interface 3. A control system is arranged and adapted: (i) to transmit a first group of ions which emerges from the separator 2 through the interface 3 with a first transit time t1; and (ii) to transmit a second group of ions which subsequently emerges from the separator 2 through the interface 3 with a second different transit time t2.

Abstract: The invention relates to the material, design and manufacture of a drift tube with an ion source region, particularly a miniaturized drift tube, for an ion mobility spectrometer to measure mobility spectra, particularly at atmospheric pressure. The invention proposes to use a high-performance plastic which can be injection-molded for the insulating main body for the drift tube and the ion source region. Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) can be used for this purpose, for example.

Abstract: A chromatograph mass spectrometer for performing SIM measurement and/or MRM measurement on a plurality of target components includes: a memory 41 for previously storing measurement conditions created for each of the target components, the measurement conditions including an SIM measurement ion or an MRM transition, a measurement execution time period, and an initial dwell time; a measurement time divider 42 for dividing an entire measurement time into a plurality of partial time periods having different combinations of measurements executed in the same time period; a time period input receiver 43 for receiving an input for selecting one of the partial time periods; a sensitivity information input receiver 45 for receiving an input of sensitivity information relating to the measurement conditions executed in the selected partial time period; a dwell time calculator 47 for calculating a changed dwell time by increasing or reducing the initial dwell time according to details of the input of the sensitivity infor

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for acquisition of signals from an apparatus for measuring beams of charged particles for external radiotherapy, in particular protons, carbon ions, and other ion species, emitted by particle accelerators, comprising at least one ionization-chamber sensor (10), which includes a plurality of sensor channels (20), said circuit arrangement (200; 500) comprising a plurality of channel branches (B0, . . . , B63; BR0, . . . , BR63) in parallel designed to be connected to said sensor channels (20) for receiving respective measurement signals (i) therefrom, said channel branches (B0, . . . , B63; BR0, . . . , BR63) comprising respective current-to-frequency converters (210) and counters (220) for supplying count values (CT), representing a charge associated to a given channel (20), to a multiplexer (250; 550). According to the invention, said channel branches (BR0, . . . , BR63) supply their own outputs (CT0, . . .

Abstract: The invention proposes a mass spectrometer comprising two ion mobility analyzers in tandem arrangement, of which at least one is a trapped ion mobility spectrometer (TIMS), and an ion gate which is located between the two ion mobility analyzers, and use thereof wherein ions are selectively transferred between the two ion mobility analyzers by adjusting the transmission of the ion gate while ions are separated in time according to ion mobility in the first ion mobility analyzer.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometry apparatus and method wherein ions are selected using an AC gate, then separated along a drift axis while providing a drift gas flow in a direction that is substantially neither in the direction of the drift axis nor opposite to the drift axis.

Abstract: Method and systems for monitoring ion mobility spectrometers are provided. The method can include acquiring scan data, and generating a segment data set from the scan data. The method can further include deriving a subset of peak data from the segment data, where the subset of peak data has an associated set of peak metrics, and deriving a value from the subset of peak data associated with a criteria element of the associated set of peak metrics, where the criteria element has an associated range of values. The method can further include providing an indication in the event the value lies outside the associated range of values.

Abstract: A method of static gas mass spectrometry is provided. The method includes the steps of: introducing a sample gas comprising two or more isotopes to be analyzed into a static vacuum mass spectrometer at a time, t0; operating an electron impact ionization source of the mass spectrometer with a first electron energy below the ionization potential of the sample gas for a first period of time that is following t0 until a time t1; and operating the electron impact ionization source with a second electron energy at least as high as the ionization potential of the sample gas for a second period of time that is after time t1. The first time period from t0 to t1 is a period corresponding to a period taken for the isotopes of the sample gas to equilibrate in the mass spectrometer. A constant ion source temperature is preferably maintained. Also provided is a static gas mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for reducing or eliminating crosstalk in ion mobility spectrometers are provided. In some aspects, the apparatus, systems, and methods can reduce or eliminate crosstalk without significantly increasing the overall capacitive load of the ion mobility system. In accordance with various aspects of the applicant's teachings, cross talk compensation circuits are disclosed herein that address resulting issues in RF pickup and/or crosstalk in ion mobility spectrometers used with high-sensitivity downstream mass spectrometers such as mass spectrometers having high velocity gas interfaces that can be coupled to the ion mobility spectrometer.

Abstract: A device for manipulating charged particles using an axial electric field as they travel along a longitudinal axis of the device is disclosed. The method comprises providing an outer electrode for generating an electric field and providing a plurality of inner electrodes that are separated by gaps of different lengths. The electric field generated by the outer electrode penetrates the gaps between the inner electrodes and the gaps are selected such that the desired potential profile is arranged along the longitudinal axis in order to manipulate the charged particles in the desired manner.

Abstract: A method of separating ions comprises causing ions to separate according to their ion mobility or differential ion mobility by virtue of their interactions with a buffer gas within an ion mobility or differential ion mobility separation device. The buffer gas comprises one or more organic, organosilicon or silicon-based compounds.

Abstract: In a linear drift tube partitioned into a plurality of cascaded drift tube segments each followed by an ion elimination region, a system and method of separating ions includes repeatedly establishing electric drift fields in the drift tube segments and in some of the ion elimination regions while establishing electric repulsive fields in others of the ion elimination regions such that ions having a predefined mobility or range of mobilities are transmitted through the drift tube in one direction, and when the ions reach the end of the drift tube the electric drift fields are reversed and the process is repeated to transmit the ions to the opposite end of the drift tube. Ions may be made to pass back and forth through the drift tube any number of times before being drawn out of the drift tube to an ion detector or into another drift tube.

Abstract: An analytical apparatus for mass spectrometry comprises an electron impact ionizer including an electron emitter and an ionization target zone. The target zone is arranged to be populated with matter to be ionized for analysis. An electron extracting element is aligned with an electron pathway defined between the electron emitter and the ionization target zone. The electron extracting element is configured to accelerate electrons away from the emitter along the electron pathway between the emitter and the extracting element and to decelerate the electrons along the electron pathway between the extracting element and the ionization target zone to enable soft ionization while avoiding the effects of Coulombic repulsion at the electron source.

Abstract: A collision cell for a mass spectrometer arranged to receive ions for fragmentation in a chamber and comprising an activation ion generator configured to irradiate the received ions with activation ions of the same polarity as the received ions. The activation ion generator is preferably a plasma generator, configured to generate a plasma comprising the activation ions.

Abstract: A detecting method using an IMS apparatus with a preconcentrator outside its inlet aperture. Analyte vapor is adsorbed during a first phase when substantially no gas is admitted to the reaction region. The preconcentrator is then energized to desorb the analyte molecules and create a volume of desorbed molecules outside the IMS housing. Next, a pressure pulser is energized momentarily to drop pressure in the housing and draw in a small sip of the analyte molecules from the desorbed volume through the aperture. This is repeated until the concentration of analyte molecules in the desorbed volume is too low for accurate analysis, following which the apparatus enters another adsorption phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a low-cost spring steel plate as the sample support on a dimensionally stable and precisely shaped substructure, machined from an aluminum alloy, for example, and using a pattern of embedded magnets so that said plate is removable and that a body is created overall which is suitable for use in robots, for example by giving it the dimensions of a conventional microtitration plate. The planarity of the surface onto which the (organic) samples are applied is provided within the near region by the spring steel plate itself and in the far region over the whole spring steel plate by the substructure. The spring steel plate may be designed for single use in order to satisfy IVD diagnostic regulations also, for example. It can be equipped with identification codes, sample site markings and pre-coatings for different types of analytical tasks, such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis.

Abstract: An investment casting shell substrate sensor method and apparatus comprising a hollow probe 10 having an aperture 30, the aperture 30 covered by a water proof breathable membrane (WPBM) 20 that is constructed and arranged to repel liquid from entering the aperture 30, while remaining permeable so as to allow vapor and air to pass through the aperture 30, thereby creating a liquid free internal void 50 within the hollow probe 10 that receives a sensor 40 for measuring the conditions (i.e. temperature and humidity) within the internal void 50, which are accurately indicative of the conditions at the shell substrate at the aperture 30 location. The disclosed sensor assembly provides target specific information at selected substrates within the shell real time, during the shell building process.

Abstract: An automatic method for providing geological trends and real time mapping of a geological basin using a mass spectrometer. The method provides information from a mass spectrometer on fluid samples from a wellbore into a geochemical surface well log with graphical tracks in real time. The dataset includes geochemical, engineering, and geological. The viewable geochemical well log provides information on well fluids and rock, and displays data in graphical tracks on client devices. The mass spectrometer receives samples from a gas trap connected to the wellbore, performs analysis on the samples, and communicates in real time to a geochemical surface well log with a plurality of graphical tracks which is then further communicated to a client device via a network.

Abstract: An analytical apparatus (1) for mass spectrometry comprises an electron impact ioniser including an electron emitter (22) and an ionisation target zone (18). The target zone (18) is arranged to be populated with matter to be ionised for analysis. An electron extracting element (36) is aligned with an electron pathway (34) defined between the electron emitter (22) and the ionisation target zone (18). The electron extracting element (36) is configured to accelerate electrons away from the emitter (22) along the electron pathway (34) between the emitter (22) and the extracting element (36) and to decelerate the electrons along the electron pathway (34) between the extracting element (36) and the ionisation target zone (18) to enable soft ionisation while avoiding the effects of coulombic repulsion at the electron source (22).

Abstract: A method for converting a cryostat configuration (1) having a first container (2) with a liquid helium bath (3) and a second container (6) which is filled with liquid nitrogen (7) is characterized in that a cooling medium (12) which is in a gaseous state at a temperature of 60K and a pressure of 1 bar, is introduced into the second container and is cooled by a refrigerator (16) by means of a cooling circuit (11), the coolant lines of which are guided into the second container, to an operating temperature of ?60K. With this retrofit for existing cryostat configurations that utilize both liquid helium and also liquid nitrogen for cooling a superconducting coil, use of liquid nitrogen can be completely avoided and the evaporation rate of the liquid helium can also be considerably reduced without having to re-liquefy the cryogens used.

Abstract: In an ion reflector (4) configured from a plurality of electrodes, electrodes 42 disposed in a second stage region (S2) for reflecting ions after deceleration are formed thinner than electrodes (41) disposed in a first stage region (S1) for decelerating the ions. The thin electrodes suppress unevenness of potential, in particular, in a path away from the center axis of the reflector, which results in improvement of isochronism of an ion packet passing on the path. The thick electrodes (41, 43) disposed in the first stage region (S1) prevents stretching of the grid electrodes (G1, G2) from being affected, and unevenness of potential in the first stage region (S1) hardly affects isochronism of the ions. By appropriately adjusting thicknesses and a pitch of the electrodes (41, 42, 43, 44) adjacent to one another so as to align intervals between the electrodes (41, 42, 43, 44), it is possible to use spacers having the same size in common.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving ion mobility spectrometry by using a fast and spatially wide ion gate based on local RF field barrier opposed to a switching DC field. The improvement accelerates the ion mobility analysis and improves charge throughput and dynamic range of the IMS. The invention is particularly suited for rapid dual gas chromatography. In one important embodiment, the accelerated IMS is coupled to a multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a fast encoded orthogonal acceleration. There are described methods of comprehensive and orthogonal separation in multiple analytical dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell separator and a method for surface treatment of the same, in which ionized nanoparticles are attached to the surface of a separator to form fine projections such that the surface of the separator exhibits superhydrophobicity. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method for surface treatment of a fuel cell separator which provides nanoparticles for forming fine projections on the surface of the separator to a discharge electrode and ionizes the nanoparticles by an arc discharge generated in the discharge electrode. The ionized nanoparticles are then attached to the surface of the separator by an electric field generated by applying a high voltage between the separator and the discharge electrode, thereby forming fine projections for imparting superhydrophobicity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for detecting, identifying, classifying and/or quantifying chemical species in a gas flow using a micro-fabricated ion filter coupled to a system adapted to apply drive signals to the ion filter. Coupled to the ion filter is a system adapted to measure the output of the ion filter, which in turn is coupled to a system adapted to extract numerical parameters from the measured output of the ion filter to facilitate chemical detection, identification, classification and/or quantification of the gas flow.

Abstract: The applicants' teachings provide in some aspects methods and apparatus for mass spectrometric analysis that identify the location of carbon-carbon double bonds, if any, in an analyte by (1) obtaining the m/z ratio of the intact analyte ions, (2) subjecting these ions to collision-induced dissociation and (3) determining relationships between masses and/or mass-to-charge ratios of the intact analyte ions and the fragments produced by such collision-induced dissociation. The methods and apparatus selectively subject analyte ions to ozone-induced dissociation based on those relationships and determine location(s) of carbon-carbon double bonds, if any, from reaction products of ozone-induced dissociation.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for ion analysis, including ion mobility separation and mass spectrometry, are provided using a dual polarity spark ion source and having the flexibility required to optimize the detection performance for a broad range of illicit substances with different physical and chemical properties. In various embodiments, the volatility and electro-chemical aspects may be addressed by the system described herein by performing real-time detection of compounds detectable in both positive and negative polarities and/or prioritizing spectra acquisition in a given polarity due to the high volatility and therefore short residence of certain target compounds.

Abstract: Provided is a spatial focusing ion mobility tube, including an ionzation source, an ion gate, a grid mesh and a faraday disc. A focusing grid mesh parallel to the ion gate is provided at one side of the ion gate away from the ionization source, and the ion gate and the focusing grid mesh combine into a spatial focusing ion gate assembly which controls the flight of the ions. The mobility tube employs a traditional design and changes the ion gate portion to one or more spatial focusing ion gate assemblies. The spatial focusing assembly can realize the injection function of the ion gate and produce the spatial compression focusing of ions.

Abstract: For ion mobility spectrometry applications, a desired shape of a sensor structure may be created by forming a desired shape from a ceramic material, such as aluminum nitride. In various embodiments, the sensor structure may be formed using discrete individual ceramic sheets and/or from a preformed ceramic tube. Via holes are formed into the sensor structure to provide for efficient circuitry configurations of the IMS drift tube and/or providing electrical connections between the interior and exterior of the drift tube.

Abstract: A plasma chamber having improved controllability of the ion density of the extracted ribbon ion beam is disclosed. A plurality of pairs of RF biased electrodes is disposed on opposite sides of the extraction aperture in a plasma chamber. In some embodiments, one of each pair of RF biased electrodes is biased at the extraction voltage, while the other of each pair is coupled to a RF bias power supply, which provides a RF voltage having a DC component and an AC component. In another embodiment, both of the electrodes in each pair are coupled to a RF biased power supply. A blocker may be disposed in the plasma chamber near the extraction aperture. In some embodiments, RF biased electrodes are disposed on the blocker.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for analysis of gas phase ions via ion mobility type analyzers, particularly high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility analyzers (FAIMS), by linking gas composition and/or flow rate with the scanning of compensation voltage or asymmetric waveform amplitude are provided. Linking these parameters results in improvements in resolution, sensitivity, and selectivity. The methods and devices according to the presently disclosed subject matter provide for the improvement in resolution for specific ions without affecting the entire FAIMS spectrum.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system and method of operating same are provided. The system comprises an ion conduit for receiving ions; a boundary member defining a curtain gas chamber containing the ion conduit; a curtain gas supply for providing a curtain gas to an inlet of the ion conduit to provide a gas flow into the conduit, and a curtain gas outflow out of a curtain gas chamber inlet; a mass spectrometer at least partially sealed to, and in fluid communication with, the conduit for receiving the ions from the conduit; a vacuum chamber surrounding the mass spectrometer operable to draw the gas flow including the ions through the conduit and into the vacuum chamber; and, a gas outlet for drawing a gas outflow from the gas flow located between the conduit and the mass spectrometer to increase the gas flow rate through the conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a remote measurement system and method for pesticide fog distribution and drifting tendency in aerial pesticide application, which relate to the technical field of hazardous substance monitoring. The system comprises: a collection module, used for collecting infrared radiation in a detected area, and enabling the infrared radiation to be incident on an optical module; the optical module, used for obtaining, according to the incident infrared radiation, an infrared imaging spectrum in the detected area where a pesticide fog cloud cluster is distributed, and sending the infrared imaging spectrum to a processing module; the processing module, used for analyzing the infrared imaging spectrum, identifying the pesticide fog cloud, obtaining a concentration image of the pesticide fog cloud through inversion, and predicting a drifting tendency of the pesticide fog according to the concentration image.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer (MS) that is adapted to allow rapid gas-phase hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) labeling of ions in one or more traveling wave ion guides (TWIGs) with or without ion mobility separation. The addition of isotopic labeling by gas-phase HDX offers a sensitive alternative dimension for conformational detection, which enables high resolution detection of gaseous conformations based on shape and surface reactivity. Gas-phase, isotopic HDX labeling or “curtain” labeling, can be performed by infusing a reactive, isotopic labeling gas, e.g., ND3, into one or more of the traveling-ion wave guides (TWIG) in the MS. Analyte ions retained in the potential wells of a traveling wave generated by one or more of the TWIGs can be isotopic labeled at adjustable gas pressures. Labeling times can also be controlled by adjusting the speed of the traveling wave and can be performed within milliseconds of ionizations, probing protein conformations present in solution.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising passing ions through an ion mobility spectrometer and acquiring first ion mobility drift time data. A calibration function is applied to the first ion mobility drift time data to determine a physico-chemical property (e.g. CCS) of the ions. Second ion mobility drift time data is then acquired and the calibration function is applied to the second ion mobility drift time data to determine the physico-chemical property of one or more known or reference ions. The calibration function is then adjusted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing ions inside an ion mobility device is disclosed. Ions are introduced into the mobility device. The ions are subjected to a non-constant electric field to form a potential gradient along a portion of the device so that ions with similar mobilities bunch together into sharper peaks while maintaining separation between other ions. The potential gradient progressively increases or decreases along the length of the device.