Abstract: A sample introduction system for a spectrometer comprises a desolvation region that receives or generates sample ions from a solvent matrix and removes at least some of the solvent matrix from the sample ions. A separation chamber downstream of the desolvation region has a separation chamber inlet communicating with the desolvation region, for receiving the desolvated sample ions along with non-ionized solvent and solvent ion vapors. The separation chamber has electrodes for generating an electric field within the separation chamber, defining a first flow path for sample ions between the separation chamber inlet and a separation chamber outlet. Unwanted solvent ions and non-ionized solvent vapors are directed away from the separation chamber outlet. The sample introduction system has a reaction chamber with an inlet communicating with the separation chamber outlet, for receiving the sample ions from the separation chamber and for decomposing the received ions into smaller products.

Abstract: An apparatus 41 and operation method are provided for an electrostatic trap mass spectrometer with measuring frequency of multiple isochronous ionic oscillations. For improving throughput and space charge capacity, the trap is substantially extended in one Z-direction forming a reproduced two-dimensional field. Multiple geometries are provided for trap Z-extension. The throughput of the analysis is improved by multiplexing electrostatic traps. The frequency analysis is accelerated by the shortening of ion packets and either by Wavelet-fit analysis of the image current signal or by using a time-of-flight detector for sampling a small portion of ions per oscillation. Multiple pulsed converters are suggested for optimal ion injection into electrostatic traps.

Abstract: Multiplexed ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), mass spectrometry (MS) such as time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS), or hybrid IM-MS is carried out on a sample, and the resulting measurement data are deconvoluted. A pulse sequence controlling ion pulsing is utilized in conjunction with the multiplexing. The pulse sequence may be modified based on the raw measurement data acquired. A demultiplexing matrix based on the modified pulse sequence is utilized to improve deconvolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing samples using mass spectrometry are disclosed. The apparatus includes a reaction device configured to dissociate sample ions into fragments by reacting the sample ions with a charged species (e.g., electrons) such as through ECD, EID, or EIEIO. The kinetic energy of the charged species is such that the fragments may be detected and produce spectra that allow for the determination of isomeric species in the sample and the location of double bonds of sample molecules. The fragments may include radical fragments and non-radical fragments. The apparatus may also include an oxygen gas source configured to react with the radical fragments to produce oxygen-radical fragments. Spectra resulting from analysis of the fragments may allow for the determination of the oxygen-radical fragments resulting from the dissociation of the sample molecules.

Abstract: A corona discharge ionizer device which emits ions generated by corona discharge to a gas flow to be ionized includes a discharge electrode having a pin configured tip portion. A second grid electrode positioned at a spaced distance from the discharge electrode is provided. The grid electrode is preferably formed from a sheet configured material which has at least one hole formed therein adapted and configured to permit the gas flow to pass therethrough. A power supply is coupled to the discharge electrode and grid electrode configured cause ion emission from the discharge electrode. The power supply is preferably an alternating current power supply configured to produce an alternating electric field region in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode sufficient to cause avalanche breakdown in the gas flowing in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for ion peak compression and increasing resolution of ions are disclosed. Packets of ions are introduced into a device. A first electric field is applied for dispersing the ion packets temporally or spatially according to their mobilities. A second intermittent traveling wave is applied for regrouping or merging the dispersed ion packets into a lesser number of trapping regions with narrower peaks. The ions packets are compressed into the narrower peak regions by varying a duty cycle of the intermittent traveling wave.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sensing aerosol characteristic parameters using dual-wavelength light scattered signals and the application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of fire warning. The method procedures include measuring the scattered light power of two different wavelengths, calculating the surface area concentration and the volume concentration of aerosol, and obtaining the Sauter mean diameter of the aerosol the surface area concentration, the volume concentration and the aerosol Sauter mean diameter are compared with corresponding thresholds, and then corresponding fire alarm signals are emitted.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising passing a signal output from a detector through a programmable attenuator or a programmable amplifier prior to digitizing the signal, and switching an attenuation factor or gain factor of the programmable attenuator or the programmable amplifier one or more times during a data acquisition period.

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: Systems and methods are provided for time-of-flight analysis of a continuous beam of ions by a detector array. A sample is ionized using an ion source to produce a continuous beam of ions. An electric field is applied to the continuous beam of ions using an accelerator to produce an accelerated beam of ions. A rotating magnetic and/or electric field is applied to the accelerated beam to separate ions with different mass-to-charge ratios over an area of a two-dimensional detector using a deflector located between the accelerator and the two-dimensional detector. An arrival time and a two-dimensional arrival position of each ion of the accelerated beam are recorded using the two-dimensional detector. Alternatively, an electric field that is periodic with time is applied in order to sweep the accelerated beam over a periodically repeating path on the two-dimensional rectangular detector.

Abstract: A technique for time interval measurement is provided. First and second signal components are received, sampled and digitized. The first signal component is derived from a trigger signal that causes or indicates generation 5 of the second signal component. A time interval between the first and second signal components is determined based on a reference time defined by the sampled and digitized first signal component and based on a reference time defined by the sampled and digitized second signal component.

Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a charged-particle detector, etc. provided with a structure for effectively suppressing ion feedbacks under a low-vacuum environment. In order to capture the residual-gas ions, which are generated by collisions between the electrons output from a MCP unit 200 and residual-gas molecules, by a second electrode 400, which is electrically insulated from a first electrode 300, which is mainly for capturing electrons, the potential of the first electrode 300 is set to be higher than an output-side potential of the MCP unit 200, and, on the other hand, the potential of the second electrode 400 is set to be lower than the output-side potential of the MCP unit 200. As a result, the ion feedbacks to the MCP unit 200 are effectively suppressed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for acquiring fragment ion spectra of substances in complex substance mixtures wherein a trapped ion mobility spectrometer (“TIMS”) is used as the ion mobility separator separation device. The fragment ion spectra may be used for the identification of high numbers of proteins in complex mixtures, or for a safe quantification of some substances, by their fragment ion mass spectra in a mass spectrometer with up-front substance separator. TIMS with parallel accumulation provides the unique possibility to prolong the ion accumulation duration to find more detectable ion species without decreasing the measuring capacity for fragment ion mass spectra. The high measurement capacity for fragment ion mass spectra permits the repeated measurement of low abundance ion species to improve the quality of the fragment ion spectra.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating a subject for of ovarian cancer, the method including using lysophosphatidylcholine (16:0) and homocysteic acid, which are low-mass ions present in biological samples, to diagnose whether treatment should be provided. The method enables ovarian cancer to be diagnosed in a cost-effective, rapid and accurate manner.

Abstract: To improve spatial and energy acceptance of multi-reflecting time-of-flight, open traps, and electrostatic trap analyzers, a novel ion mirror is disclosed. Incorporation of immersion lens between ion mirrors allows reaching the fifth order time per energy focusing simultaneously with the third order time per spatial focusing including energy-spatial cross terms. Preferably the analyzer has hollow cylindrical geometry for extended flight path. The time-of-flight analyzer preferably incorporates spatially modulated ion mirror field for isochronous ion focusing in the tangential direction.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to reflectron assemblies and methods of producing them. In some configurations, a reflectron comprising a plurality of lenses each comprising a planar body and comprising a plurality of separate and individual conductors spanning a central aperture from a first side to a second side of a first surface of the planar body is described. In some instances, the plurality of conductors are each substantially parallel to each other and are positioned in the same plane.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an on trap and a fragmentation device. Ions are fragmented in the ion trap to form first generation fragment ions. The ion trap has a relatively high mass cut-off. The first generation fragment ions are then transferred to a fragmentation device which is arranged to have a substantially lower low mass cut-off. The first generation fragment ions are fragmented within the fragmentation device any may optionally be stored in an ion accumulation region prior to being passed to a mass analyser for subsequent mass analysis.

Abstract: A system that integrates several technologies into a single, portable medical diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a sample body fluid (liquid and/or gas): (1) a mechanism to capture airborne microdroplets and to separate the body fluid into a first fluid component (primarily gas) and a second fluid component (primarily liquid); (2) a volatilizer to convert a portion of the second fluid component into a third fluid component that is primarily a gas; (3) a functionalized nanostructure (NS) array configured to receive, identify, and estimate concentration of at least one constituent in the first and/or third fluid components; (4) a miniaturized differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) module; and (5) a biomarker sensor, to detect volatile and non-volatile molecules in a sample fluid, which may contain one or more components of blood, breath, perspiration, saliva, and urine.

Abstract: An ion manipulation method and device is disclosed. The device includes a pair of substantially parallel surfaces. An array of inner electrodes is contained within, and extends substantially along the length of, each parallel surface. The device includes a first outer array of electrodes and a second outer array of electrodes. Each outer array of electrodes is positioned on either side of the inner electrodes, and is contained within and extends substantially along the length of each parallel surface. A DC voltage is applied to the first and second outer array of electrodes. A RF voltage, with a superimposed electric field, is applied to the inner electrodes by applying the DC voltages to each electrode. Ions either move between the parallel surfaces within an ion confinement area or along paths in the direction of the electric field, or can be trapped in the ion confinement area.

Abstract: A method of identifying precursor ion species from their fragments comprises obtaining mass spectra of a plurality of precursor ion species and their fragments to high mass accuracy. The fragment mass spectrum, obtained from fragmentation of multiple precursor ion species, is then scanned it identify pairs of fragments whose combined mass matches the mass of one of the precursor ion species. Once pairs of fragment ion shave been matched to precursor ions, the composite fragment ion spectrum is broken down into portions, one per fragment pair. Analysis continues until no further pairs are identified. A simplified fragment ion spectrum is then reconstructed for each precursor sample ion by stitching together the broken down sections of the composite fragment spectrum. The resultant reconstructed, simplified fragment spectra are sent to a search engine which returns a score-sorted list of likely candidates for each synthetic fragment ion spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shutter for an ion mobility spectrometer (20), the shutter comprising: a first electrode surface (11) with a number of first electrode elements arranged in the first plane and at a distance from each other; a second electrode surface (12) arranged parallel to and at a distance from the first electrode surface and having a number of second electrode elements arranged in the second plane and at a distance from each other; means for applying a potential difference between the first electrode elements and the second electrode elements, and a third electrode surface (13) with a number of third electrode elements arranged in the third plane and at a distance from each other, wherein the third electrode surface is arranged parallel to and at a distance from the first electrode surface and wherein the third electrode surface is arranged on the opposite side of the first electrode surface relative to the second electrode surface.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed to apply ESI-based mass spectroscopy to submicrometer and nanometer scale aerosol particles. Unipolar ionization is utilized to charge the particles in order to collect them electrostatically on the tip of a tungsten rod. Subsequently, the species composing the collected particles are dissolved by making a liquid flow over the tungsten rod. This liquid with dissolved aerosol contents is formed into highly charged droplets, which release unfragmented ions for mass spectroscopy, such as time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. The device is configured to operate in a switching mode, wherein aerosol deposition occurs while solvent delivery is turned off and vice versa.

Abstract: A system for expressing an ion path in a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The present invention uses two successive curved sectors, with the second one reversed, to form S-shaped configuration such that an output ion beam is parallel to an input ion beam, such that the ions makes two identical but opposed turns, and such that the geometry of the entire system folds into a very compact volume. Geometry of a TOF mass spectrometer system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention further includes straight drift regions positioned before and after the S-shaped configuration and, optionally, a short straight region positioned between the two curved sectors with total length equal to about the length of the central arc of both curved sectors.

Abstract: A method of ion mobility spectrometry wherein ions undergo multiple stages of ion mobility separation and multiple stages of inertial ion motion wherein the mean free path between ion collisions with gas is significantly longer than in the stages of ion mobility separation, wherein each stage of inertial ion motion lies between successive stages of ion mobility separation.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed provide for methods of managing polarity switching in an ion mobility spectrometer, and provide for management of the repelling grid voltage, the gating grid voltage, and the fixed grid voltage during polarity switching. Systems and methods also provide for the management of the effect of dielectric relaxation in an insulator proximal to the collector, and provide for a preamplifier coupled to the collector including a switch, and a method of managing the collector output including the switch. Systems and methods consistent with the current disclosure further provide for a method of normalizing ion mobility data by determining fitting coefficients associated with a plurality of measurement data sets, and subtracting the curves determined by the fitting coefficients from the data acquired by the ion mobility spectrometer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ion separations or manipulations in gas phase are disclosed. The device includes a single non-planar surface. Arrays of electrodes are coupled to the surface. A combination of RF and DC voltages are applied to the arrays of electrodes to create confining and driving fields that move ions through the device. The DC voltages are static DC voltages or time-dependent DC potentials or waveforms.

Abstract: An open electrostatic trap mass spectrometer is disclosed for operation with wide and diverging ion packets. Signal on detector is composed of signals corresponding to multiplicity of ion cycles, called multiplets. Using reproducible distribution of relative intensity within multiplets, the signal can be unscrambled for relatively sparse spectra, such as spectra past fragmentation cell of tandem mass spectrometer, past ion mobility and differential ion mobility separators. Various embodiments are provided for particular pulsed ion sources and pulsed converters such as orthogonal accelerators, ion guides, and ion traps. The method and apparatus enhance the duty cycle of pulsed converters, improve space charge tolerance of the open trap analyzer and extends the dynamic range of time-of-flight detectors.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining aerosol particle size distributions with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) device comprising a differential mobility analyzer (DMA); which method comprises the stages: (i) collecting a first data set of particle concentrations vs. size for a size range from a predetermined minimal size Dmin to an intermediate size Dt by varying a voltage applied to a DMA column of an SMPS from Vmin to Vt1 at a first sheath flow rate Qsh1; (ii) changing the sheath flow rate from the first sheath flow rate Qsh1 to a second sheath flow rate Qsh2; (iii) collecting a second data set of particle concentrations vs.

Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) was developed for a NASA/ASTID program beginning 2008. The primary targeted application for this technology is the detection of non-volatile (refractory) and biological materials on landed planetary missions. Both atmospheric and airless bodies are potential candidate destinations for the purpose of characterizing mineralogy, and searching for evidence of existing or extant biological activity.

Abstract: A method of operating a tandem mass spectrometer system is disclosed including accumulating ions in an ion trap, transmitting a plurality of ions out of the ion trap into a timed-ion selector, applying a pulsed DC voltage to the timed-ion selector, the pulsed DC voltage being modulated to match an ejection time for selecting a first portion of ions from the plurality of ions, corresponding to a specific m/z window, transmitting the first portion of selected ions out of the timed-ion selector into a reaction cell, transmitting dissociation product ions and the remaining ions of the first portion of selected ions out of the reaction cell into a mass analyzer, and mass-selectively transmitting at least some of the fragment ions and the remaining ions of the first portion of selected ions out of the mass analyzer into a detector.

Abstract: A low energy electron diffraction (LEED) detection module (100) includes: a first vacuum chamber for receiving diffracted electrons from a specimen (109); a larger second vacuum chamber connected to the first vacuum chamber to receive the diffracted electrons that have been transported through the first vacuum chamber; a two-dimensional electron detector disposed in the second vacuum chamber to detect the diffracted electrons; a potential shield (106) disposed generally along an inner surface of the first vacuum chamber and an inner surface of the second vacuum chamber; a magnetic lens (105) to expand a beam of the diffracted electrons that have been transported through the first vacuum chamber towards the two-dimensional electron detector; and a generally plane-shaped energy filter (103) to repel electrons having an energy lower than the probe beam (203) of electrons that impinges on the specimen (109).

Abstract: An orthogonal pulse accelerator for a Time-of-Flight mass analyzer includes an electrically-conductive first plate extending in a first plane, and a second plate spaced from the first plate. The second plate includes a grid that defines a plurality of apertures each having a first dimension extending in a first direction and a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension, the first and second dimensions lying in the second plane and the second dimension begin larger than the first dimension. The first and second plates are positioned in the Time-of-Flight mass analyzer to receive, during operation of the mass analyzer, an ion beam propagating in the first direction in a region between the first and second plates, and the orthogonal pulse accelerator directs ions in the ion beam through the apertures.

Abstract: An electrostatic trap such as an orbitrap is disclosed, with an electrode structure. An electrostatic trapping field of the form U?(r, ?, z) is generated to trap ions within the trap so that they undergo isochronous oscillations. The trapping field U?(r, ?, z) is the result of a perturbation W to an ideal field U(r, ?, z) which, for example, is hyperlogarithmic in the case of an orbitrap. The perturbation W may be introduced in various ways, such as by distorting the geometry of the trap so that it no longer follows an equipotential of the ideal field U(r, ?, z), or by adding a distortion field (either electric or magnetic). The magnitude of the perturbation is such that at least some of the trapped ions have an absolute phase spread of more than zero but less than 2 ? radians over an ion detection period Tm.

Abstract: A system for detecting particles in a gas stream comprises a Faraday collector separating charged particles into positive and negative streams to be detected. The Faraday collector includes a plurality of interdigitated wires, with a first plurality of wires charged with a positive potential and a second plurality of wires charged with a negative potential to separate particles in the gas stream into the positive and negative streams.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising providing a flight region for ions to travel through and a detector or fragmentation device. A potential profile is maintained along the flight region such that ions travel towards the detector or fragmentation device. The potential at which a first length of the flight region is maintained is then changed from a first potential to a second potential while at least some ions are travelling within the first length of flight region. The changed potential provides a first potential difference at an exit of the length of flight region, through which the ions are accelerated as they leave the length of flight region. This increases the kinetic energy of the ions prior to them reaching the detector or fragmentation cell.

Abstract: A method of ejecting ions to be analyzed from a quadrupole ion trap in which a trapping field is created by one or more RF voltages applied to one or more electrodes of the trap, the method comprising the steps of cooling the ions to be analyzed within the quadrupole ion trap until the ions are thermalized, reducing the amplitude of one or more RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap and applying the reduced amplitude RF voltages for one half cycle after the one or more RF voltages have reached a zero crossing point, turning off the RF voltages applied to the quadrupole ion trap, and ejecting the ions to be analyzed from the quadrupole ion trap.

Abstract: Aspects relate to methods for processing individual spectra acquired with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to form a sum spectrum. The peak position of a peak and its total intensity are determined in an individual spectrum, and entries in an addition raster of the sum spectrum adjacent to the peak position are selected; then the total intensity is divided up into portions, wherein more of the total intensity is added to entries which are closer to the peak position than is added to entries which are further away from the peak position.

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

Abstract: Various examples are provided for collimator assemblies and/or energy analyzer arrays of plasma spectrometers. In one example, among others, an ultra-compact plasma spectrometer includes a collimator assembly; an energy analyzer array that receives charged particles from the collimator; and a detector plate that detects charged particles exiting the energy analyzer array. The energy analyzer array can include a plurality of analyzer plates having distinct energy channels. In another example, a method includes bonding a stack of analyzer plates to form an energy analyzer array, affixing a collimator assembly to the entrance surface of the energy analyzer array, and affixing an array of detectors to the exit surface of the energy analyzer array. The analyzer plates include energy analyzer bands extending from the entrance surface to the exit surface. The aperture arrays and the detectors can align with the energy analyzer bands.

Abstract: Mass spectrometers and related methods of making and using the same are disclosed herein that generally involve positioning a blocking or masking element in the path of an ion beam passing through the mass spectrometer so as to selectively block at least a portion of the ions in the ion beam from entering an accelerator. Mass spectrometers and related methods are also disclosed in which an ion beam passing through the mass spectrometer is deflected or otherwise aimed so as to approach a TOF axis of an accelerator at a non-zero angle.

Abstract: An ion guide is disclosed comprising one or more layers of intermediate planar, plate or mesh electrodes. A first array of first electrodes is provided on a upper surface and a second array of second electrodes is arranged on a lower surface. An ion guiding region is formed within the ion guide. One or more transient DC voltages or potentials are preferably applied to the first and second array of second electrodes in order to urge, propel, force or accelerate ions through or along the ion guide.

Abstract: An ion guide generates a first RF field of Nth order where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and a second RF field of 2Nth order superimposed on the first RF field. The first and second RF fields may be generated by respective first and second sets of electrodes. Another ion guide may include a converging entrance section followed by an exit section. The converging section may have a hyperbolic profile. A hyperbolic profile may be presented by electrodes having a twisted configuration relative to an ion guide axis.

Abstract: A multi-reflecting time-of-flight (MR-TOF) mass spectrometer, which includes two quasi-planar electrostatic ion mirrors extended along drift direction (Z) and is formed of parallel electrodes, separated by a field-free region. The MR-TOF includes a pulsed ion source to release ion packets at a small angle to X-direction which is orthogonal to the drift direction Z. Ion packets are reflected between ion mirrors and drift along the drift direction. The mirrors are arranged to provide time-of-flight focusing ion packets on the receiver. The MR-TOF mirrors provide spatial focusing in the Y-direction orthogonal to both drift direction Z and ion injection direction X. In a preferred embodiment, at least one mirror has a feature providing periodic spatial focusing of ion packets in the drift Z-direction.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer or separator and an ion guide arranged downstream of the ion mobility spectrometer or separator. A plurality of axial potential wells are created in the ion guide so that ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator 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. The potential wells are translated along the length of the ion guide.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of mass spectrometry, and more specifically to a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization and chemical ionization combined ion source, which consists of a vacuum ultraviolet light source and an ion source chamber. An ion acceleration electrode, an ion repulsion electrode, an ion extraction electrode, and a differential interface electrode positioned inside the ion source chamber are arranged along the exit direction of the vacuum ultraviolet light beam in sequence and spaced, coaxial, and parallel from each other. The ion acceleration electrode, the ion repulsion electrode, the ion extraction electrode, and the differential interface electrode are all plate structures with central through holes. The vacuum ultraviolet light beam passes through the central through holes of the electrodes along the axial direction.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and algorithms are disclosed for operating an open electrostatic trap (E-trap) or a multi-pass TOF mass spectrometer with an extended flight path. A string of start pulses with non equal time intervals is employed for triggering ion packet injection into the analyzer, a long spectrum is acquired to accept ions from the entire string and a true spectrum is reconstructed by eliminating or accounting overlapping signals at the data analysis stage while using logical analysis of peak groups. The method is particularly useful for tandem mass spectrometry wherein spectra are sparse. The method improves the duty cycle, the dynamic range and the space charge throughput of the analyzer and of the detector, so as the response time of the E-trap analyzer. It allows flight extension without degrading E-trap sensitivity.

Abstract: Methods and devices identify gases and allow immediate and simultaneous detection of the chemical compounds to be tested. The methods and devices use a function of the electric field strength, for identification the material-specific mobility and simultaneously the change in this mobility, which is achieved in that due to the resulting electric field, each ionized molecule has a drift velocity which is partially increased or decreased, wherein the resulting electric field is a DC field, on which an asymmetric AC field is superimposed. The methods and devices for the detection and identification of gases are used to identify and detect chemical compounds, such as, explosive and/or unhealthy substances or compounds, which may be detected in very small concentrations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a mass spectrometer include an atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source, one or more low-pressure chemical ionization (LPCI) sources, a mass analyzer configured to separate ions of a sample flow from the APCI source and the one or more LPCI sources, a detector configured to identify and quantify the received separated ions, and a plurality of valves configured to open and close associated input lines to the APCI source and the one or more LPCI sources, via a computer-implemented controller, and configured to maintain a vacuum environment of the mass spectrometer during the opening and closing.