Abstract: A mass spectrometry method of the present invention is such that a sample is heated to generate a gas and an ion that is produced from the gas is introduced into a mass spectrometer by using DART so that mass spectrometry is conducted.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer has a pair of electrodes and midway along the drill chamber. A high field is applied between the electrodes and sufficient to modify ions in the region of the electrodes such that they move at a different rate towards the collector plate. This is used to modify the time of flight of selected ions or ion clusters and enable identification of ambiguous peaks on the IMS spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a corona discharge device, comprising a first electrode including: a first substantially cylindrical inner chamber portion and a second substantially conical inner chamber portion in communication with the first inner chamber portion, wherein the second inner chamber portion has a cross sectional area that gradually enlarges in a direction away from the first inner chamber portion. The present invention also provides an ion mobility spectrometer comprising: an ionization region; and the corona discharge device disposed in the ionization region. With the above construction and structure, the ion mobility spectrometer of the present invention has the advantages that extraction of ions is facilitated and a life time of the corona electrode is lengthened. In addition, the focusing and storing electrode is used to effectively shield interference of a corona discharge pulse, and to push and focus sample ions.

Abstract: A Time of Flight mass analyser is disclosed comprising one or more devices arranged and adapted to correct for tilt in an isochronous plane of ions and to adjust the isochronous plane of the ions so as to be parallel with the plane of detection in an ion detector.

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 an ion group irradiation device for irradiating a sample with an ion group, comprising: an ion group selecting unit configured to select, from ions released from an ion source, at least two ion groups formed of ions having different average masses; and a primary ion irradiation unit configured to irradiate the sample with the at least two ion groups selected by the ion group selecting unit, wherein the ion group selecting unit selects at least one ion group and further selects the at least two ion groups from each of the selected at least one ion group.

Abstract: Provided is an ion group irradiation device for facilitating the distinction of peaks in secondary ion mass spectra. The ion group irradiation device for irradiating a sample with an ion group includes an ion source for generating ions, an ion group selecting unit configured to select, from the ions released from the ion source, two or more ion groups formed of ions having different average masses, and a primary ion irradiation unit configured to irradiate the sample with the two or more ion groups. Further, an atom species or a molecule species of the ions forming the two or more ion groups is common between ion groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ion group irradiation device which includes: an ion source which generates an ion; and an ion group selecting unit which selects an ion group containing a cluster ion from ions released from the ion source, in an ion group irradiation device for irradiating a sample with the ion group, wherein the ion source has a pressure gradient forming unit for changing a pressure with which a material of the cluster ion is jetted, with time, the ion group selecting unit has a chopper which performs a chopping operation of selecting the ion group by passing and blocking the cluster ions in a traveling direction by the opening and closing of the chopper, and the chopper performs two or more times of the chopping operations per one time of a pressure gradient forming operation by the pressure gradient forming unit.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF confinement device, a beam expander and a Time of Flight mass analyzer. The beam expander is arranged to expand an ion beam emerging from the RF confinement device so that the ion beam is expanded to a diameter of at least 3 mm in the orthogonal acceleration extraction region of the Time of Flight mass analyzer.

Abstract: A detector in a residual gas analyzer (RGA) is configured to receive ions traveling in a downstream direction along a beamline and includes a steering electrode offset from the beamline. A first ion-receiving electrode is at least partly on the opposite side of the steering electrode from the beamline. A second ion-receiving electrode is at least partly offset from the beamline, at least partly across the beamline from at least a portion of the steering electrode, and at least partially upstream of at least a portion of the steering electrode. A shielding electrode is arranged at least partly between the beamline and the second ion-receiving electrode. A source applies a potential to the shielding electrode. A residual gas analyzer (RGA) includes an ion source, an analyzer, and such a detector.

Abstract: An elemental flow cytometer includes a device to vaporize, atomize, and ionize material and an introduction system for introducing packets of discrete entities into said device to vaporize, atomize and ionize materials to vaporize, atomize and ionize the entities in the packets. A spectrometer is adapted to individually analyze elemental composition of one or more of the vaporized, atomized and excited or ionized packets.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrode changeover switch which switches the connection state of electrodes, the electrode changeover switch is provided in the wiring path between eight electrodes through, arranged rotation-symmetrically about ion optical axis, and voltage generation switch which generates square wave high voltage ±V. When switch is switched as shown in the drawing, two circumferentially adjacent rod electrodes are connected to form one set, a square wave voltage of opposite phase is applied to circumferentially adjacent sets, and an effectively quadrupole electric field is formed. When switch is switched, a square wave voltage of opposite phase is applied to circumferentially adjacent rod electrodes and an octupole electric field is formed. In this way, by switching the switch according to the mass range, etc., it becomes possible to rapidly switch the number of poles of a multipole electric field and to suitably transport ions.

Abstract: An imaging mass spectrometer comprising an energy source adapted to substantially simultaneously provide energy to multiple spots on a sample to produce ions from the sample by a desorption process; and an analyser adapted to detect the arrival time and spot origin of ions resulting from said desorption process.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described to improve the separation capacity of an ion analyzer incorporating at least two stages of ion mobility analysis. The new invention utilizes possible use of different mixtures of gases and dopants in each stage, control over different concentrations of gases and dopants in each stage, and allowance of passage of the selected ions from one stage to the next while avoiding the mixing of the gases and dopants among stages. The new invention also includes a method to reduce the time required to identify the physical properties in a set of ion filters where at least one of the filters is a scannable ion mobility analyzer. The present invention also includes how to provide a set of scannable ion mobility analyzers operating in series, wherein each stage can be operated as a filter, or allowing for the passage of all ions.

Abstract: An interface for an ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) system includes a first ion guide for receiving ions from an IMS drift cell, and a second ion guide for receiving ions from the first ion guide, and positioned in a chamber separate from the first ion guide. Electrodes of the second ion guide subject the ions to an axial DC electric field while the second ion guide is held at a lower pressure than the first ion guide. In some embodiments, the first ion guide may be an ion funnel and the second ion guide may be a linear multipole device.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer of the type useful in mass cytometry includes an ion detector. A digitizing system for converting analog signals from the ion detector includes two analog-to-digital converters. The analog-to-digital converters are configured to provide an increased dynamic range for a targeted period while limiting the amount of data generated.

Abstract: A RF only quadrupole rod set mass filter or mass analyzer and a linear quadrupole ion trap with axial ejection are disclosed comprising a first pair of rod electrodes, a second pair of rod electrodes and an energy filter. The first pair of rod electrodes is longer than the second pair of rod electrodes. Ions having desired mass to charge ratios experience fringing fields at an exit region which results in the ions possessing sufficient axial kinetic energy to be transmitted by the energy filter. Other ions possess insufficient axial kinetic energy to be transmitted by the energy filter and are attenuated.

Abstract: Looped ionization sources for ion mobility spectrometers are described. The ionization sources can be used to ionize molecules from a sample of interest in order to identify the molecules based on the ions. In an implementation, an electrical ionization source includes a wire that is looped between electrical contacts. The wire is used to form a corona responsive to application of voltage between the wire and the walls of an ionization chamber. The corona can form when a sufficient voltage is applied between the wire and the walls. A difference in electrical potential between the wire and a wall forming an ionization chamber, in which wire is contained, can be used to draw the ions away from the wire. In embodiments, the wire can be heated to reduce the voltage used to strike the corona. The ions, subsequently, may ionize the molecules from the sample of interest. The looped corona source can also be used in mass spectrometers (MS).

Abstract: The invention proposes a method for the collective ejection of ions from a 3D RF ion trap with a ring electrode and two end cap electrodes, which comprises the following steps: (a) the RF voltage of a high-quality resonant circuit applied to the ring electrode is replaced with a second RF voltage at the two end cap electrodes which can be changed or switched faster than the high voltage at the ring electrode, keeping the ions stored, (b) the second RF voltage at the end cap electrodes is then switched down or off abruptly, releasing the ions, and (c) the released ions are ejected through an opening in one of the end cap electrodes by switching on a DC voltage on at least one of the end cap electrodes.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF confinement device, a beam expander and a Time of Flight mass analyser. The beam expander is arranged to expand an ion beam emerging from the RF confinement device so that the ion beam is expanded to a diameter of at least 3 mm in the orthogonal acceleration extraction region of the Time of Flight mass analyser.

Abstract: A method is used in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for analysis of a first pulsed ion beam, the ions of which are disposed along the pulse direction, separated with respect to their ion masses. The ions of at least one individual predetermined ion mass or of at least one predetermined range of ion masses can be decoupled from the first pulsed ion beam, as at least one decoupled ion beam, and the first ion beam and the at least one decoupled ion beam are analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention uses an AC voltage instead of DC voltage on an ion gate to filter/selectively pass ions. The ions that pass through the AC ion gate can be further separated in a spectrometric instrument. An ion mobility spectrometer using the AC ion gate can achieve better gating performance. For a time of flight ion mobility spectrometer with an AC ion gate, a narrow pulse of selected ions can be passed into a drift tube where they are separated based on their low field ion mobility. Moreover, when the AC voltage at the AC ion gate has a waveform as used for differential ion mobility spectrometry, the time of flight ion mobility spectrometer is converted into a two dimensional separation spectrometer, where ions are first separated based on their high field ion mobility and then further separated based on their low field ion mobility.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is to extract multiple ionic species in a FAIMS into one or more IMS drift tubes simultaneously. By adjusting FAIMS operational parameters, ions in FAIMS are detected on IMS detectors through separation in FAIMS and/or separation and collection in the IMS. This method provides a continuous separation of specific ions from an ion swarm by employing a high-field differential mobility analyzer (FAIMS) with a plurality of orthogonal transitions paths spaced incrementally along the electrodes which allow additional separation by a conventional IMS drift tube. The components of the sample can be collected or detected.

Abstract: A method of tandem mass spectrometry is disclosed. A quasi-continuous stream of ions from an ion source (20) and having a relatively broad range of mass to charge ratio ions is segmented temporally into a plurality of segments. Each segment is subjected to an independently selected degree of fragmentation, so that, for example, some segments of the broad mass range are fragmented whilst others are not. The resultant ion population, containing both precursor and fragment ions, is analyzed in a single acquisition cycle using a high resolution mass analyser (150). The technique allows the analysis of the initial ion population to be optimized for analytical limitations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of mass spectrometry, an apparatus adapted to perform the method and a mass spectrometer. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method of mass spectrometry comprising the step of associating parent and fragmentation ions from a sample by measuring the parent and fragmentation ions from two or more different areas of the sample and identifying changes in the number of parent ions between the areas in the sample, and corresponding changes in the number of fragmentation ions between the two areas.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF confinement device, a beam expander and a Time of Flight mass analyzer. The beam expander is arranged to expand an ion beam emerging from the RF confinement device so that the ion beam is expanded to a diameter of at least 3 mm in the orthogonal acceleration extraction region of the Time of Flight mass analyzer.

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: A mass spectrometer including chromatogram creation means for creating a chromatogram showing changes over time in an ion intensity within a predetermined mass range based on the MS analysis results, and timing determination means for determining a timing to perform MS/MS analysis based on the chromatogram. The timing determination means determines, as a timing to perform MS/MS analysis, a point in time at which a signal intensity in the chromatogram reaches a predetermined upper limit after exceeding a predetermined lower limit or a point in time at which a signal intensity in the chromatogram reaches a top of a peak without reaching the upper limit after exceeding the lower limit. It is thus possible to collect precursor ions at a timing at which the signal intensity of a peak originating from sample components is highest between the upper limit and lower limit, thereby obtaining a high quality MS/MS spectrum.

Abstract: A method of operating a differential mobility spectrometer includes an ionization chamber, a filter channel and a detection region. In the ionization chamber, analyte ions are produced from a sample, the so-obtained ions are then subjected in the filter channel to a time-varying electric field. The time-varying electric field has a longitudinal field component drawing the analyte ions from the ionization chamber through the filter channel into the detection region and a transversal field component, which is the superposition of an asymmetrically oscillating transversal field causing the analyte ions to move to and fro in transversal direction and a compensation field for selecting a species of analyte ions by substantially canceling the average transversal velocity of the selected species.

Abstract: An ion detector for a Time of Flight mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a single Microchannel Plate 1 which is arranged to receive ions 2 and output electrons 3. The electrons 3 are directed onto an array of photodiodes 4 which directly detects the electrons 3. The output from each photodiode 4 is connected to a separate Time to Digital Converter provided on an ASIC 5.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein an ion signal is split into a first and second signal. The first and second signals are multiplied by different gains and are digitised. Arrival time and intensity pairs are calculated for both digitised signals and the resulting time and intensity pairs are combined to form a high dynamic range spectrum. The spectrum is then combined with other corresponding spectra to form a summed spectrum.

Abstract: An ion detector system for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion detector comprising an array of detector elements. The ion detector system is arranged to correct for tilt and non-linear aberrations in an isochronous plane of ions. The ion detector system generates separate first mass spectral data sets for each detector element and then applies a calibration coefficient to each of the first mass spectral data sets to produce a plurality of second calibrated mass spectral data sets. The plurality of second calibrated mass spectral data sets are then combined to form a composite mass spectral data set.

Abstract: Mass spectrometers ionize samples by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The samples are located on a moveable support plate, and irradiated by a pulsed laser. A fast positional control of laser spots is provided via a system of rotatable mirrors to relieve strain on a support plate motion drive. If the spot position is finely adjusted by the mirror system and follows the movement of the sample support plate, the intermittent movement of the sample support can be replaced with a continuous uniform motion. The fast positional control allows more uniform ablation of a sample area. Galvo mirrors with low inertia may be used between the beam generation and a Kepler telescope in the housing of the laser. The positional control can also provide a fully automatic adjustment of MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometers, at least if the ion-optical elements are equipped with movement devices.

Abstract: An electrostatic ion mirror is disclosed providing fifth order time-per-energy focusing. The improved ion mirror has up to 18% energy acceptance at resolving power above 100,000. Multiple sets of ion mirror parameters (shape, length, and voltage of electrodes) are disclosed. Highly isochronous fields are formed with improved (above 10%) potential penetration from at least three electrodes into a region of ion turning. Cross-term spatial-energy time-of-flight aberrations of such mirrors are further improved by elongation of electrode with attracting potential or by adding a second electrode with an attracting potential.

Abstract: An ion trap is provided between a collision cell and a time-of-flight mass separator. During a time period in which precursor ions derived from the same compound are selected with a quadrupole mass filter, a collision energy is changed from one to another. Various product ions that are produced by dissociation respectively under collision energies of the plurality of stages and precursor ions that are not dissociated are temporarily trapped in the ion trap, and are ejected in a packet form in the state where these ions are mixed, and are introduced into the time-of-flight mass separator 6 to be subjected to a mass spectrometry. Thereby, in a data processing unit, one MS/MS spectrum in which product ions produced in various dissociation modes under various CID conditions appear is created.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a sample is disclosed comprising transmitting a first population of ions through a mass spectrometer and switching a state or mode of the mass spectrometer to produce a second population of ions. A sequential stream of mass spectra is acquired asynchronously with respect to switching the state or mode of the mass spectrometer. The stream of mass spectral data is then post-processed to produce mass spectra corresponding predominantly to the first and second population of ions.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer has a particle introduction system and a vaporizer, atomizer, and ionizer configured to produce ions from elements associated with the particle. An ion mass-to-charge ratio analyzer is configured to separate ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio. A detector is positioned to detect at least some of the separated ions. A digital processor is configured to: (a) acquire data from the detector including at least first data in a primary detection group defined to comprise one or more mass-to-charge ratio channels of the mass spectrometer; (b) determine whether or not ions detected during at least one sampling cycle meet at least one selection criterion indicating a presence of a particle in the mass spectrometer; and (c) determine whether or not to use data in a secondary detection group based on whether or not the at least one selection criterion is met.

Abstract: An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside an APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions that exit the APCI probe are directed only by external electric fields and gas flow maximizing ion transmission into a mass to charge analyzer. Sample ions and gas phase reagent ions are generated in the APCI probe from liquid or gas inlet species or mixtures of both.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the detection of incorrect deposition on a MALDI sample support with several separate sample sites, where after the preparation on the sample support, an area located between two sample sites is sampled with a desorption laser, and a signal of an ion detector in a mass spectrometer is acquired in temporal relation to the sampling. The signal is examined for the presence of a signal which indicates incorrect deposition. An advantage of the method is particularly that it can be carried out using a MALDI ion source and a connected mass analyzer, and that it requires little procedural effort.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods that allow analysis of macromolecular structures using laserspray ionization at intermediate pressure or high vacuum using commercially available mass spectrometers with or without modification and with the application of heat. The systems and methods produce multiply-charged ions for improved analysis in mass spectrometry.

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: A mass analyser for use in a mass spectrometer. The mass analyser has a set of electrodes including electrodes arranged to form at least one electrostatic sector, the set of electrodes being spatially arranged to be capable of providing an electrostatic field in a reference plane suitable for guiding ions along a closed orbit in the reference plane, wherein the set of electrodes extend along a drift path that is locally orthogonal to the reference plane and that curves around a reference axis so that, in use, the set of electrodes provide a 3D electrostatic field region. The mass analyser is configured so that, in use, the 3D electrostatic field region provided by the set of electrodes guides ions having different initial coordinates and velocities along a single predetermined 3D reference trajectory that curves around the reference axis.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising directing first photons from a laser onto ions located within a 2D or linear ion guide or ion trap. The frequency of the first photons is scanned and first photons and/or second photons emitted by the ions are detected. The ions are then mass analysed using a Time of Flight mass analyser.

Abstract: A Time-Of-Flight mass analyzer includes a multipole ion guide located in the ion flight path between the ion source and the flight tube of the Time-Of-Flight mass analyzer. The multipole ion guide can be positioned in the ion path between the ion source and the ion pulsing region of the TOF mass analyzer. The multipole ion guide electronics and the ion guide entrance and exit electrostatic lenses are configured to enable trapping or passing through of ions delivered from an atmospheric pressure ion source. The multipole ion guide can be used for ion transmission, trapping and fragmentation, and can reside in one vacuum pumping stage or can extend continuously into more than one vacuum pumping stage.

Abstract: An ion transfer tube for a mass spectrometer comprises a core member and a first jacket tube member at least partially enclosing the core member and providing one or more channels therethrough. A method of forming an ion transfer tube, comprises: providing a first jacket tube member having a length and an internal bore, the internal bore passing along the length and defining an interior surface of circular cross section; removing at least one portion of the first jacket tube member adjacent to the interior surface so as to form at least one groove, channel, slot, recess or embayment of or in the interior surface; and providing a core member within the bore of the jacket tube member such that remnant portions of the interior surface of circular cross section mate against portions of an exterior surface of the core member.

Abstract: A tandem TOF mass spectrometer includes a first TOF mass analyzer that generates an ion beam comprising a plurality of ions and that selects a group of precursor ions from the plurality of ions. A pulsed ion accelerator accelerates and refocuses the selected group of precursor ions. An ion fragmentation chamber is positioned to receive the selected group of precursor ions that is refocused by the pulsed ion accelerator. At least some of the selected group of precursor ions is fragmented in the ion fragmentation chamber. A second TOF mass analyzer receives the selected group of precursor ions and ion fragments thereof from the ion fragmentation chamber and separates the ion fragments and then detects a fragment ion mass spectrum.

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 whilst 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 for raising the resolving power, specificity, and peak capacity of conventional ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. Ions are separated in a dynamic electric field comprising an oscillatory field wave and opposing static field, or at least two counter propagating waves with different parameters (amplitude, profile, frequency, or speed). As the functional dependencies of mean drift velocity on the ion mobility in a wave and static field or in unequal waves differ, only single species is equilibrated while others drift in either direction and are mobility-separated. An ion mobility spectrum over a limited range is then acquired by measuring ion drift times through a fixed distance inside the gas-filled enclosure. The resolving power in the vicinity of equilibrium mobility substantially exceeds that for known traveling-wave or drift-tube IMS separations, with spectra over wider ranges obtainable by stitching multiple segments.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry systems include an electronic controller and a time-of-flight mass analyzer in communication with the electronic controller. The time-of-flight mass analyzer includes a pulsing region defining a channel that extends along an axis. The pulsing region includes: a first electrode extending along the axis, the first electrode defining one or more apertures; a second electrode extending along the axis, the first and second electrodes being positioned on opposing sides of the axis in a first direction perpendicular to the axis. The electronic controller is programmed to apply a first set of voltages to the electrodes to constrain a motion of ions propagating along the axis in a radial direction relative to the axis, and apply a second set of voltages to the electrodes to accelerate the ions out of the pulsing region through the one or more apertures.

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.